Totally Organics vs Harrison's pellets

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Totally Organics vs Harrison's pellets

by K G
(USA)

I have had my conures on TO but am trying Harrison’s. Since Harrison’s cost more, I assumed that it was a better product. Based on the packaging, it appears that one difference b/t the two products is that TO has “organic” ingredients but Harrison’s is certified USDA organic. Can you tell me of any other nutritional pros and cons? Just looking at fat content, I’m wondering if I didn’t make a mistake in trying to convert to Harrison’s since it has a higher fat content than the TO. The reason that I’m concerned about calories is that I have a sun conure rescue who is prone to chubbiness and egg laying. She hasn’t laid eggs with me, but she has gained weight since being on TO. (I only give a little of the seeds and Goldenfeast with the pellets as a treat). Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks for your advice!

Comments for
Totally Organics vs Harrison's pellets

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Jun 29, 2011

Discussion about bird pellets
by: Tracie

Just so everyone knows, I am closing this thread. This person is only interested in what Dr B says, so the thread is closed now that Dr B has answered.

Jun 28, 2011

Totally Organics vs Harrison's pellets
by: Linda

I agree 100% with Dr. B on this. I've been feeding my 35+ year old Amazons Harrison's for almost 20 years, and they just don't get sick. The only time they have to go to avian vet is to have their nails trimmed and a little off their beaks a few times a year.

One thing I learned about Harrisons a long time ago is they use a cold extrusion method to make the pellets. What this means is that very little, if any, of the nutrients are lost using this method. Most packaged pet foods are made using heat extrusion and this includes all dog and cat foods and other bird foods except for Harrisons. This means a substantial loss of nutrients from the heat. It's akin to raw versus cooked to death food for us though I don't recommend raw meat of any kind for humans or animals.

Gaining weight is directly related to how much exercise a bird gets measured against how much food. The package has a guide to go by, and if your bird is less active or is bored, then she is not getting enough exercise. This can be helped by encouraging her with new wooden chew toys plus more out of cage time. Even flying in place which is just flapping the wings is good exercise. You should not have a problem with weight and the Harrisons if you are limiting any treat foods to the recommended fruit and veggies and only 10 to 15% of the total diet in them. No people food, nuts, peanut butter or other questionable and high fat foods will ensure she gets to and stays at a good weight.

Thanks for writing and for taking your bird's nutritional needs seriously. Wish there were more people like you!!!
Linda

Jun 28, 2011

Harrison's pellets are high quality
by: The Avian Vet

Harrison?s is the better food. The birds that I see on Harrison's have healthier brighter more colorful feathers, which is an excellent indication of the bird?s overall health. Harrison?s has been around much longer and was developed through years of research and field trials. TO was not.

Harrison?s is certified organic which is much more that just have some organic ingredients. Everything from growing the ingredients, to manufacture to packaging and storage is inspected and must pass stringent guidelines and rules to be certified. No other bird food has accomplished this. This food has no pesticide residues, not herbicide residues or artificial ingredients of any kinds.

If you feed Harrison's your bird will never be egg bound. I feed Harrison?s to all of my birds, and I recommend it to all of my clients.

Dr B

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