FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON HARRISON'S PRODUCTS
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The specifics of which food you should choose for your bird, which size bag you should buy and information on converting your bird to Harrison's is dealt with in other sections listed here.
Isn't feeding a Harrison's Diet expensive?
Feeding your bird's on a Harrison's diet may appear more expensive than other bird foods, and if you look simply at the cost per bag then it is. However, what you must also consider is that 1kg of Harrison's will go quite a bit further than 1kg of any comparable bird food and a lot further than seed. Firstly, there is no waste - compare for example, the amount of seed discarded by both owner and bird. Secondly, as the diets are scientifically formulated to provide for their exact requirements your bird need eat much less Harrison's to derive the same nutritional benefit (with the obvious additional benefits in guarding against obesity in the bird). Thirdly, the food is extremely palatable and acceptance is high. Many birds dislike the colourings added to other foods, or will avoid eating a certain colour of pellet, leading to waste that does not occur with Harrison's.
Also, as Harrison's is a complete diet there is no need for supplementation, which can be costly, or preparation, which can be time consuming.
But the biggest factor in why feeding your bird Harrison's is worth paying a little extra, is that you are not just purchasing food, but you are buying your bird a healthier life. We believe any additional expense is more than compensated for by the improvement in your bird's health and happiness.
The costs reflects the use of premium, certified organic ingredients, which are more costly than non-organic sources, and the premium-freshness packaging which means that potentially harmful preservatives need not be added
Why do only a few pet shops in the UK stock Harrison's Bird Foods?
HBF-UK agrees with the philosophy of our American parent company - Harrison's Bird Diets International. In their own words, "In the beginning, we introduced the food into pet stores, but most refused to learn how to use the foods, ignored the concepts behind our foods and didn't bother to get birds checked out prior to changing diets. It was not how we wanted the food to be represented.
"We then went to veterinarians and found a very eager audience. Their diligence and support helped us have a successful product. Ultimately, we want educated sales and healthy birds, not just mega-sales at any cost.
"Some pet stores do sell Harrison's, but they generally have a working relationship with a vet in their area".
There are pet shops and retail outlets in the UK that sell Harrison's Bird Foods. These are listed on our stockists page, but in each instance the veterinary advisor with which they have a working relationship is named.
If the diet is complete why should I also feed fresh fruit and vegetables?
Although Harrison's Bird Foods are a complete diet, providing all the essential nutrients that your bird requires, we do still recommend that you also feed a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. This is in no way essential, and a diet consisting solely of Harrison's is sufficient to ensure sound nutrition in your bird. We recommend serving fresh fruit and vegetables as they offer variety in the diet and provide a source of fibre.
If I am feeding my birds on a Harrison's diet should I still feed supplements?
In most instances, you should not. By adding a supplement you may do more harm than good as the vitamins and minerals in Harrison's Bird Foods are carefully balanced to meet the needs of your bird. Any extra could lead to an excess of that vitamin/mineral, but could also disrupt the uptake of others.
The exception would be when you are advised to do so by your avian veterinarian.
Isn't a diet consisting primarily of Harrison's a bit boring and bland?
You may be concerned by the potential lack of variety in your birds diet. But, bear in mind that these foods were developed following a great number of palatability tests with numerous species of birds, and what you are serving is, to parrot taste buds, very enjoyable. You should also consider that a parrot has around 1% of the taste buds of a human tongue so their perception of taste is more limited than ours, and they are unlikely to tire of a Harrison's diet. We also recommend that you serve a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables every day, so this will add some variety to their regular diet. If you also give a small treat every so often then you will have served a diet that is both healthy and sufficiently stimulating for your bird.
What is the best way to keep Harrison's food fresh?
The best way is to store the food in its original packaging. Harrison's bags are the very best in preventing air getting to the food and causing staleness. Squeeze out the air and 'zip' the top shut. If the zip-top gets damaged or will not close properly, roll the top down a few times and use a clothes peg to hold the bag closed. This is still better than using tupperware as the foil bags are specicially designed to keep the food fresh. If using tupperware it is not possible to keep air from the food as when you close the lid you shut in air. By using the Harrison's bags you can squeeze out any air and make sure the food is unaffected.
We would recommend that each bag is eaten within 6 to 8 weeks for the food to be at its freshest.
Refrigeration of the food is not necessary but may extend freshness. It should, however, always be kept in a cool, dry place.
Isn't feeding a Harrison's Diet expensive?
Feeding your bird's on a Harrison's diet may appear more expensive than other bird foods, and if you look simply at the cost per bag then it is. However, what you must also consider is that 1kg of Harrison's will go quite a bit further than 1kg of any comparable bird food and a lot further than seed. Firstly, there is no waste - compare for example, the amount of seed discarded by both owner and bird. Secondly, as the diets are scientifically formulated to provide for their exact requirements your bird need eat much less Harrison's to derive the same nutritional benefit (with the obvious additional benefits in guarding against obesity in the bird). Thirdly, the food is extremely palatable and acceptance is high. Many birds dislike the colourings added to other foods, or will avoid eating a certain colour of pellet, leading to waste that does not occur with Harrison's.
Also, as Harrison's is a complete diet there is no need for supplementation, which can be costly, or preparation, which can be time consuming.
But the biggest factor in why feeding your bird Harrison's is worth paying a little extra, is that you are not just purchasing food, but you are buying your bird a healthier life. We believe any additional expense is more than compensated for by the improvement in your bird's health and happiness.
The costs reflects the use of premium, certified organic ingredients, which are more costly than non-organic sources, and the premium-freshness packaging which means that potentially harmful preservatives need not be added
Why do only a few pet shops in the UK stock Harrison's Bird Foods?
HBF-UK agrees with the philosophy of our American parent company - Harrison's Bird Diets International. In their own words, "In the beginning, we introduced the food into pet stores, but most refused to learn how to use the foods, ignored the concepts behind our foods and didn't bother to get birds checked out prior to changing diets. It was not how we wanted the food to be represented.
"We then went to veterinarians and found a very eager audience. Their diligence and support helped us have a successful product. Ultimately, we want educated sales and healthy birds, not just mega-sales at any cost.
"Some pet stores do sell Harrison's, but they generally have a working relationship with a vet in their area".
There are pet shops and retail outlets in the UK that sell Harrison's Bird Foods. These are listed on our stockists page, but in each instance the veterinary advisor with which they have a working relationship is named.
If the diet is complete why should I also feed fresh fruit and vegetables?
Although Harrison's Bird Foods are a complete diet, providing all the essential nutrients that your bird requires, we do still recommend that you also feed a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. This is in no way essential, and a diet consisting solely of Harrison's is sufficient to ensure sound nutrition in your bird. We recommend serving fresh fruit and vegetables as they offer variety in the diet and provide a source of fibre.
If I am feeding my birds on a Harrison's diet should I still feed supplements?
In most instances, you should not. By adding a supplement you may do more harm than good as the vitamins and minerals in Harrison's Bird Foods are carefully balanced to meet the needs of your bird. Any extra could lead to an excess of that vitamin/mineral, but could also disrupt the uptake of others.
The exception would be when you are advised to do so by your avian veterinarian.
Isn't a diet consisting primarily of Harrison's a bit boring and bland?
You may be concerned by the potential lack of variety in your birds diet. But, bear in mind that these foods were developed following a great number of palatability tests with numerous species of birds, and what you are serving is, to parrot taste buds, very enjoyable. You should also consider that a parrot has around 1% of the taste buds of a human tongue so their perception of taste is more limited than ours, and they are unlikely to tire of a Harrison's diet. We also recommend that you serve a small amount of fresh fruit and vegetables every day, so this will add some variety to their regular diet. If you also give a small treat every so often then you will have served a diet that is both healthy and sufficiently stimulating for your bird.
What is the best way to keep Harrison's food fresh?
The best way is to store the food in its original packaging. Harrison's bags are the very best in preventing air getting to the food and causing staleness. Squeeze out the air and 'zip' the top shut. If the zip-top gets damaged or will not close properly, roll the top down a few times and use a clothes peg to hold the bag closed. This is still better than using tupperware as the foil bags are specicially designed to keep the food fresh. If using tupperware it is not possible to keep air from the food as when you close the lid you shut in air. By using the Harrison's bags you can squeeze out any air and make sure the food is unaffected.
We would recommend that each bag is eaten within 6 to 8 weeks for the food to be at its freshest.
Refrigeration of the food is not necessary but may extend freshness. It should, however, always be kept in a cool, dry place.