Crop Needle Selection

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What size crop needle should I use to feed my bird?

The table below gives a good guide to what size crop needle is suitable for different bird species.

Bird Species	Bodyweight	Crop Volume	Needle Size
Finch	12 – 20g	0.5mL	18 gauge
Canary	20 – 25g	0.5mL	18 gauge
Budgie	35 – 50g	1-2mL	16 gauge
Neophema	40 – 50g	1.5 – 2.5mL	16 gauge
Cockatiel	80 – 90g	4 – 5mL	14 gauge
Eastern Rosella	80 – 110g	5 – 10mL	12 gauge
Princess Parrot	100 – 120g	5 – 10mL	12 gauge
Galah	300 – 350g	10 – 20mL	10 gauge
Pigeon	300 – 500g	30 – 60mL	8 gauge
White Cockatoo	600 – 900g	30 – 50mL	8 gauge

For advice on how to feed your bird using a crop needle please visit our Help Centre Article “How To Use A Crop Needle“.

Tagged: bird, crop, hand rearing, medication, Product Information, question

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2 responses to “Crop Needle Selection”

Jeff Vella

August 2, 2021

Hi Bec and VetnPet direct.

Thanks for your time. I see from your c hart that it is advised that an adult cockatoo could be administered food/medication with an 8 gauge crop needle. I am completing an assessment at the moment for my Cert III Captive Animals studies and am doing a hand raising manual for a Red-tailed black cockatoo. But because I am feeding a chick u to weaning age I presume t hat it isn’t appropriate to use such a big crop needle. I appreciate that I should be using the biggest gauge that is safe for a birds oesphagus, but would you have any further advice on this please.

Thanks again – stay safe.

Regards,

Jeff

Reply
1. Bec
  
  August 11, 2021
  
  Hi Jeff,
  
  I would give Vetafarm a call, they are the manufacturers of the crop needles and a wealth of information when it comes to caring for birds. Good luck with your course.
  
  🙂
  Bec
  
  Reply

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