Any diagnostics that can be performed on adult birds may be performed on neonates. Gram's stains are valuable as a quick screening method for identifying potential problems, however, bacterial cultures should be performed in conjunction with a CBC to confirm suspected infections. Gram's stains should not be relied upon solely for diagnosis of disease in birds. Fungal cultures are often helpful in differentiating pathogenic Candida versus brewer's yeast in formula. Blood chemistries and serology are also useful diagnostic tools.
Radiographs are a helpful diagnostic device.
When radiographing young birds, make sure that the crop is empty, to prevent regurgitation and subsequent aspiration of hand-feeding formula. The proventriculous is proportionately larger in hand-feeding babies than it is in adult birds. Blood may easily be drawn from the right jugular vein, or from the medial metatarsal vein. It is not advisable to clip a toenail short on a baby bird to get a blood sample, as it is possible to permanently damage the tissue, resulting in a deformed toenail. Testing for PBFD, polyoma, chlamydia and other diseases should be performed.