Why isn't my baby hand-fed cockatiel raising its neck for food?

Question

Hello, I have a few questions about our baby cockatiel. Shortly after it was born its mother bit it one the wing twice and threw it out of the nest. We have been hand feeding it since. My concern is that he chirps for food but his neck does not go up like his newer siblings. What can we do about this and will it get better on its own? My other concern is that on the babies' stomach, it has a thick black line underneath the skin. Is this normal? If not, what can we do about it? Thank you. Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female

Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM · Accepted Answer

It is common for young birds to lose their feeding response as they become weak, and this may be what is happening with Toni. It is more energy taxing to move the neck/head than it is to chirp. The line that you are seeing is part of the organs in the belly. If you look closely, you can see a number of organs. This is because their skin is so thin that you can see through it. I would recommend having Toni evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform an examination on Toni to ensure there are no obvious abnormalities, and may provide some supportive care for him. Additionally, I am not sure what you are formula you are feeding, how much, and how often - these are all important items as we need to make sure Toni is getting enough calories to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian can help to guide you with these items based on the cockatiel's weight. The crop is small in the pictures that you sent, but I am not sure how long ago you had fed before taking the picture so this may be appropriate. Please ensure that Toni is being kept warm as well - ideally he would have an area that is 90-100F. Monitor the area with a digital thermometer to ensure it is not getting too hot or too cold. Without proper temperatures, Toni won't be able to digest his food well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

Why isn't my baby hand-fed cockatiel raising its neck for food?

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