At a recent AAV conference we spent time with Dr. Friedrich Janazcek of Germany and he shared his method of success using the Harrison’s hand-feeding formula in ill birds (also applicable to other species). Dr. Janazcek utilizes the opportunity to convert newly recovered birds to Harrison’s rather than return the patient back to the previous diet that may have contributed as a cause of illness via improper nutrition. Dr. Janaczek encourages soft, flexible silicon tubes with round-end and side opening (attached to a syringe with a large tip) be used for all three formulas. These crop tubes are available in 7 different diameters and two lengths (18 cm and 80 cm).

Indications for use of the Harrison’s hand-feeding formulas in adult animals – successfully used in varying levels of weight loss, dehydration and nutritional depletion in birds and other animal species.

STEP 1 – Recovery Formula:
For tube-feeding of emaciated and/or dehydrated animals with a moderate to excessive loss of body weight. The consistency of the freshly prepared formula (warmed to animal’s body temperature) depends on the degree of dehydration and the general condition of the animal. The formula mixture should be more fluid to nearly watery in significantly dehydrated animals and for the first feedings. At this consistency the formula easily passes through the GI tract and as the hydration of the skin normalises the mixture should be gradually increased to yogurt consistency. Fauna Flora may be added to Recovery formula to stimulate the digestion in the GI tract.

Upon improvement of body weight (to just under animal’s normal weight) switch to Harrison’s Juvenile formula

STEP 2- Neonate formula:
For tube-feeding of emaciated and/or dehydrated animals with a light loss of body weight. The consistency of the freshly prepared formula (warmed to animal’s body temperature) depends on the degree of dehydration and the general condition of the animal. The formula mixture should be more fluid to nearly watery in significantly dehydrated animals and for the first feedings. At this consistency the formula easily passes through the GI tract and as the hydration of the skin normalizes the mixture should be gradually increased to yogurt consistency. Neonate formula can be mixed with Harrison’s Fauna Flora to stimulate the digestion in the GI tract.

STEP 3 – Juvenile formula:
For tube-feeding of animals with normal body weight for the purpose of oral medicine or x-ray contract medium gavage. Juvenile formula contains psyllium which is hygroscopic and contains 10% crude fiber. Both may be Beneficial in cases of Removing foreign bodies from the GI tracts by gavage over several days. Juvenile formula should be preferably used for hand-feeding sick animals with reduced body weight from species requiring higher fiber content in their food (Recovery and Neonate do not contain psyllium and are easily digestible in most animal species).

STEP 4 (For pet birds):
As bird stabilizes and returns to normal health this is the ideal situation for conversion to appropriately selected Harrison’s Formulated foods.

A transition from prepared Harrison’s Juvenile Had-Feeding Formula to formed Harrison’s Bird Foods (Coarse, Fine, Super Fine, etc.) is simplified as follows:
Juv Formula > Juv Formula mixed with soaked Harrison’s Foods > soaked Harrison’s Foods > dry Harrison’s Foods.
Transition periods may vary widely as needed. Birds should be free-feeding on Juv. Formula (no longer via gavage) before attempting Step 4 & Critical Diet Transition (below).

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CRITICAL DIET TRANSITIONS:

Transitioning certain difficult or unhealthy birds from a poor diet to Harrison’s may be achieved by the veterinarian incorporating portions of the Steps listed above. For example, certain large bird species may benefit from incorporating Step 4 as a diet transition method. Certain smaller species may benefit from incorporating other steps as well as Step 4.
Harrison’s advises that no inexperienced person should attempt gavage feeding as this process performed incorrectly may harm the bird.

Apparently some birds love to play with or waste their food – and those crunchy Harrison’s nuggets are perfect objects to fling across the room, “feed” to the family dog, powder into oblivion or simply “take a bite – let the rest fall on the ground – and move on to the next nugget”..

For the larger species (say, conures thru macaws) there are a number of ways to address this.
– Moisten the nuggets. The food is less likely to powder or “pop”, which some birds seem to enjoy doing (at the cost of wasted food on the floor). Make sure all moistened food is eaten or replaced at regular intervals through the day. Clean up any uneaten food thoroughly.

– Train the bird not to waste food. This will involve a more involved, personal and time-intensive approach to feeding the bird.
Remove all foods from bird’s access. Offer the food one nugget at a time. If the bird wastes this nugget do not offer another one for say 10 minutes. If they waste the next one, wait another ten minutes. Alternately if the bird eats the nugget without wasting, offer the next nugget immediately. Repeat as necessary until the bird stops wasting food.
This is a reward practice. [This method is not recommended for small birds like cockatiels, budgies etc.]

– Try a smaller kibble. The “Fine” versions of both High Potency and Adult Lifetime are comparable enough for larger birds and in many cases is readily accepted without food-wasting.

– Some birds with eating disabilities or certain injuries simply cannot hold and eat the nuggets the way other birds can. In some of these instances it may be easier for the owner to use the Juvenile Hand-Feeding Formula (mixed with water, fed as directed) – tube fed or spoon fed. Juvenile Formula despite its name is great nutrition for adult birds as well. Veterinarians have used this formula in the clinic environment for decades as a maintenance and/or conversion food.

Got further questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Captive Foraging – Basics in Pet Foraging Activities

By M. Scott Echols, DVM, Dipl ABVP – Avian Practice
• Understand the natural foraging instinct of all animals
• Prevent unwanted behaviors, such as feather destruction and repetitive functionless activity
• Learn how to use foraging toys – from basic to advanced – to keep birds occupied and happy

Now available for free viewing.

This is Baby, the African Grey rescued by Laura Miles / Archonny Corner in The UK. A new home and a new approach to diet has really helped turned Baby around. Thanks so much to Laura for sharing progress!

“Baby has been with us for about 3 weeks now. When he arrived he was kept in a cage only big enough for 2 Cockatiels & he only had 2 perches & a very old toy. Due to his poor diet of mainly sunflower seeds, cherry tomato & dried chilli along with his lack of exercise he could hardly move. His deformed legs were so painful with wasting muscles that he would shut his eyes in pain, he would crash to the floor of the new cage very easily due to being so weak.

When he moved his legs would badly shake & sometimes it would take him 3 tries before his leg would go forward. With the introduction of a foraging & exercise program along with a slow diet conversion his legs no longer shake & he runs everywhere so fast that we can’t always keep track of where he is. He hardly ever holds his leg up in pain any more & his overall health is transforming by the day. Baby has stopped plucking & he is loving his Organic diet. He was so loved in his previous home of 12 years, but as we always try to show people, love alone just isn’t enough.”

The following is a note shared with us from Teresa Micco, DVM.
Dr. Micco works in Redondo Beach, CA and has been rehabbing wild parrots.
A special thank you to Dr. Micco for sharing!

I just wanted to relate a story to you about the rehab work I have been doing with the wild parrots in the community and Harrison’s.

Each bird is unrelated to the next. This year, I have a 4-5 month-old lilac-crowned Amazon from a flock in Yucaipa with a fractured clavicle; an adult mitred conure from south Redondo Beach with severe head trauma (recovering); a fledgling mitred conure from USC campus that couldn’t keep up with the flock and ended up under the stairs of some students; and a nestling from Manhattan Beach whose nest bottom collapsed and he and his sibling fell 30 feet to some bushes below (the sibling was not so lucky). Each bird is being tube-fed Harrison’s Juvenile formula 4 times daily. All (except the nestling) have been offered a variety of fresh foods and seeds/nuts native to their wild environment. However, very little was eaten or any interest shown.

Although all but the lilac-crown and the adult conure were being parent fed at the time of their arrival to me, even they showed no interest in what was natural food to them, even when offered on branches! When I added Harrison’s High Potency Coarse grind and removed everything else except a bowl of water, voila! they ALL started eating the Harrison’s Hi-Potency Coarse the day I offered it.

The USC conure was strong enough to be returned to the wild yesterday after being with me for 2 weeks. He recognized the family’s call immediately and they were reunited. The first thing the parents did was feed him!

Thank you so much for the great products and all of your wonderful service!
Teresa