Harrison's Bird Foods is a top choice among bird owners looking to feed their pet birds a wholesome, nutritious diet. Founded in the 1980s by avian veterinarian Dr. Gregory Harrison, Harrison's produces premium diets formulated specifically for birds using only human-grade, all-natural ingredients.
In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into Harrison's Bird Foods: who Dr. Harrison was, how his bird food was developed, what makes the formulas unique, the key benefits of feeding Harrison's to pet birds, the range of diets available, and where you can purchase these top-rated bird foods. Whether you're a seasoned bird owner or just bringing home your first feathered friend, read on to learn why Harrison's is regarded as the gold standard of bird food brands.
.png "Harrison's Bird Food") |
| Harrison's Bird Food |
The Origins of Harrison's Bird Foods
Long before Harrison revolutionized the pet bird diet, Dr. Gregory Harrison made it his mission to improve avian health through nutrition. Dr. Harrison was a pioneering avian veterinarian who practiced in Florida beginning in the 1970s. Early in his career, Dr. Harrison noticed that his patients - companion birds kept as pets - routinely suffered from serious nutritional deficiencies leading to poor health and chronic issues.
In particular, Dr. Harrison found that seed-only diets led to malnutrition and obesity in pet birds. He began researching the unique nutritional needs of birds and experimenting with diets fortified with vitamins, minerals, and proper levels of protein and fat. After much trial and error, his formulas proved successful in improving his patients' well-being. Word of his natural, wholesome food blends for birds spread, and demand grew from bird owners across the country.
To meet this demand, Dr. Harrison founded HBD Industries, Inc. in 1984 to manufacture his specialized bird food. The company was renamed Harrison's Bird Foods and has continued advancing avian nutrition over the past 30+ years. Although Dr. Harrison passed away in 2001, his company remains family-owned and committed to its mission of improving pet bird health through better nutrition.
What Makes Harrison's Bird Food Special?
So what sets Harrison's apart from other commercial bird foods? There are several key factors that make these diets the gold standard for companion bird nutrition:
Formulated by Avian Vets and Nutritionists
Harrison's avian diets are formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists who specialize in bird health. No other bird food company has this degree of expertise guiding their recipes. The nutritional needs of birds are complex and very different from mammals, and Harrison has a deep understanding of these requirements.
Species-Specific Formulas
Rather than a generic seed mix, Harrison's offers customized blends for different types of birds. There are formulas tailored to parrots, cockatiels, finches, canaries, and more. This species-specific nutrition ensures birds get nutrients aligned with their unique needs.
Human-Grade, Certified Organic Ingredients
Harrison's uses only all-natural ingredients approved for human consumption and minimally processed to preserve nutritional integrity. Many of their formulas are USDA-certified organic. You won't find artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
No Sugars, Fats, or Fillers
Many commercial bird diets contain cheap fillers like corn, wheat, soy, and sugary additives. Harrison's excludes these low-quality ingredients and focuses solely on high-nutrient foods. Their formulas have optimal levels of healthy fats and protein for birds.
Pelleting for Complete Nutrition
Harrison's avian diets are available in convenient pellet form to ensure birds get balanced nutrition in each bite. The pellets can't be selectively picked like loose seed mixes, preventing selective feeding. The extrusion process preserves nutrients better than loose seeds or mixes.
Clinical Results
No other bird food maker invests in clinical research and trials like Harrison's. They consistently demonstrate the superior health outcomes of feeding their diets through laboratory analysis and avian vet hospitals. This level of evidence gives bird owners confidence in the formulas.
With credentials like certified organic, human-grade ingredients formulated by veterinarians, it's easy to see why Harrison's is in a class of its own when it comes to bird nutrition. The commitment to quality is truly unmatched in this market.
Benefits of Feeding Harrison's to Pet Birds
The thoughtful formulation of these diets directly translates into tangible health benefits for birds. Some of the top advantages of feeding Harrison's Bird Food include:
Improved Overall Health - The nutrient-dense formulas provide full, balanced nutrition to support all aspects of avian health. Birds thrive on the natural ingredients.
Healthy Weight - The proper balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates promotes an active metabolism and healthy body weight for birds. Obesity is greatly reduced.
Increased Energy - Birds fed Harrison's diets exhibit more energy and activity compared to birds fed basic seed diets. The nutrients fuel their active lifestyles.
Shinier Feathers - The diets provide nutrients needed for feather growth and preening, leading to noticeably sleeker, shinier plumage.
Stronger Immune Systems - The formulas supply increased antioxidant levels and nutrients to naturally support immunity and the ability to fight illness.
Reduced Behavior Issue - Balanced nutrition decreases behaviors linked to nutritional deficiencies like aggression, feather plucking, screaming, and self-mutilation.
Improved Organ Function - Optimal levels of vitamins and minerals support organ, brain, heart, and eye health leading to better overall function.
Enhanced Longevity- The improved health and vitality that birds gain from Harrison's often increases their lifespan by years compared to a seed diet.
The positive impacts reflect Dr. Harrison's original goal - to drastically improve avian well-being through proper nutrition. Bird owners say the difference is undeniable once birds make the switch.
Range of Harrison's Bird Food Formulas
Harrison's produces an extensive range of diets tailored to different bird species and their life stage. This includes:
Parrot Formulas
- Adult Lifetime Coarse - A base grain diet to feed most parrots long-term.
- Adult Lifetime Fine- Same diet with a smaller pellet size for smaller parrot species.
- High Potency Coarse - Higher calorie diet for active, growing, or underweight parrots.
- High Potency Fine - Smaller pellet version for smaller parrots.
- Power Treats - Nutritious nibble sticks for training and bonding.
Specialty Parrot Blends
- Recovery Formula - For rescued birds needing regeneration and rehabilitation.
- Bird Bread Mix - For making healthy birdie bread treats.
- Mash Formula - A mash consistency for ill or injured birds having trouble eating.
Cockatiel and Conure Diets
Specific formulas scaled to the nutritional needs of these popular small bird species.
Canary Formulas
Blends optimized for English Canaries, American Singer Canaries, and Red Factor Canaries.
Finch Formulas
Custom recipes for Gouldian Finches, Society Finches, and Zebra Finches.
Organic Formulas
USDA-certified organic diets for adult parrots, cockatiels, and conures.
Avian Breeder Diets
Specialty formulas for breeding birds with elevated protein and calcium levels.
This wide selection allows owners to feed any companion bird an appropriate Harrison's diet. There are even formulas for chickens kept as pets!
Where to Purchase Harrison's Bird Food?
Where can you purchase Harrison's premium bird diets? These foods are so widely used that they're stocked at most major pet retail chains. You can find them at:
- Petco
- Petsmart
- Pet Supplies Plus
- Local pet stores
- Veterinary clinics
- Online retailers like Chewy, Amazon, PetFlow
Prices range from around $10-$30 for smaller bags up to $100 for 25 lb bulk sizes. It's more expensive than basic seed mixes but owners report it's worthwhile for the significant health improvements in their birds. You can also order directly from Harrison's Bird Foods website to purchase and have items conveniently shipped to your home. Autoship subscription orders come with discounts for weekly, monthly, or bimonthly deliveries. Their site is very informative with helpful resources on transitioning birds to Harrison's, answers to common questions, feeding guides organized by bird species, and more support materials for owners.
Is Harrison's Right for Your Bird?
If you want only the best for your feathered companion, Harrison's Bird Food is certainly worthy of consideration. The company has spent decades refining avian nutrition and produces the most scientifically formulated, vet-recommended diets on the market. Bird owners say that the difference after switching to Harrison's is remarkable - more energy, silkier feathers, better droppings, no more selective eating of just seeds, and overall improved health and happiness. The benefits can be life-changing.
Frequently Ask Questions
What is the highest bird food?
- Harrison's High Potency Coarse is one of the highest-quality bird foods available. It has a high percentage of protein and is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of birds with higher metabolisms or during demanding life stages like molting, breeding, and chick-rearing.
How long does Harrison's bird food last?
- Unopened bags of Harrison's bird food can last around 6 months past the best-by date if stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, it's best to use Harrison's food within 3-4 weeks before the vitamins degrade. Properly stored, it stays fresher than other seed mixes.
What are the ingredients in Harrison's High Potency Fine?
- Harrison's High Potency Fine contains organic ingredients like ground organic coconut, organic whole ground flaxseed, organic whole ground yellow peas, and other organic seeds, grains, and produce. It has higher levels of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.
What is Harrison's baby bird food?
- Harrison's Juvenile Hand-Feeding Food is a nutritionally balanced formula for hand-feeding baby and juvenile birds. It contains prebiotics, probiotics, and vitamin supplements to support development. It comes in a powdered mix to add water and make a nutritious "gruel".
What is the best food for newborn birds?
- For wild newborn birds, the best food is insects, worms, seed gruel, or nectar provided by their parents. For domestic birds, Harrison's Juvenile Hand-Feeding formula or a specialized baby bird formula recommended by an avian vet provides the nutrients young hatchlings need.