Mandibular prognathism, also called maxillary brachygnathism, occurs most frequently in cockatoos, but may be seen in other species. Early discovery of beak deformities will facilitate easy correction. Physical therapy and corrective grinding may be corrective in cases that are discovered early, but orthodontic devices or prosthetics may be necessary to correct beaks that have already hardened. Gastrointestinal problems are the most common disorders of neonates, and may be related to improper husbandry, disease or metabolic disorders. Most systemic diseases in chicks result in slowed gut transit time, reflected by a crop that empties slowly.
Respiratory problems occur most commonly as a result of aspiration of hand-feeding formula.
Bacterial infections are commonly seen. It must be remembered that little pharmokinetic data has been published for drugs in hatchlings, nestlings and fledglings. Several factors affect pediatric therapy, including liver dysfunction, renal disease or dehydration. By far, the most common viral disease seen in the nursery is polyomavirus. Only chicks hatched at a facility should be raised in the nursery.