Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Mitch Rezman

Steve S. Writes:

My birds have been on Harrison’s high potency for 13 years.

They are just so healthy, I don’t want to switch.

I talked to two avian vets; one said “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”, the other said it wouldn’t hurt to switch, but it wasn’t critical.

First, call Harrison’s support line at 1-800-745-7329.

They are extremely helpful and one-time doctor Harrison himself answered the phone.

Very nice guy and he really knows about birds.

I would NOT get my food from Amazon, just because they don’t specialize in bird pellets and organic food with no preservatives.

Someone who really cares about birds would likely not sell you something they wouldn’t feed their own birds.

I go one step further; besides smelling the pellets, I actually taste one.

Since Harrison’s is human food-grade, I feel safe in doing this and I haven’t yet started to grow feathers.

You didn’t hurt your bird by feeding the High Potency and I’m sure she’s very healthy.

I bought a small bag of adult lifetime and I’m mixing it with the high potency, so I can make the switch gradually I think the lifetime mix is just a little more affordable but if we’re feeding a premium food like Harrison’s, price is not the most important criteria and personally I like the higher protein in the high potency pellets.

Harrisons High Potency?

Next, Joan S. writes:

Hi Mitch and Catherine,

I hope you are both good.

I always look forward to your Sunday Birdie Brunch!

This week there was a question about Harrison’s for an African Grey.

I have been feeding high potency to Hannah for many years.

You suggest switching to Lifetime.

Harrison’s states on their website Year-round formula for all medium to large parrots, especially African greys, cockatoos, large conures, eclectus, macaws, and pionus.

Other species may be switched to Adult Lifetime Formula after a 6-8 month conversion period.

I appreciate it if you could clarify as I am now confused and concerned.

Thanks!

Joanie and Hannah in Eugene

Dear Joan

The package back of Harrisons High Potency formula pellets states that the High Potency formula is to be fed for a period of at least 6 months.

Otherwise, it can continue to be used for Special Needs, Weaning, or Breeding Birds.

Yes, the package also says it can be used as a daily diet, but unfortunately, the High Potency formula package does not include the information that is on the Adult Lifetime Maintenance formula packages.

See below:

An Adult Lifetime formula may be offered after a bird has completed a dietary program of a High Potency Formula for a period of 6 months.

It is your choice to feed whatever you wish and we only can ask and make suggestions.

We have had many customers mention that long term High Potency can lead to oily droppings which makes sense due to the higher fat content.

I never told Vic in the Blog he was wrong, I asked him why he had continued to feed High Potency for so long and what we knew about Harrisons.

He did not get back to us as to why, but only that he made the change to Adult Lifetime.

He was very kind.

We re limited on how much we can help him, he is not a customer and only wrote asking about his problematic bag purchased elsewhere.

We can only do so much to help him there.

We hope that his changes go well. every bird and its lifestyle is different, thus so are its food choices.

Thank you.

Kindest regards,

Catherine