came across this i found it interesting

micko and jack · February 23, 2009

Straights & Nutritional Comments

Maize

The several types of maize don't give much feeding value in difference with the main differences being mostly in outlook and the vitamin percentages. Maize contains many digestible carbohydrates, little raw cellulose and an awful lot of fat.

Peas

Peas are the protein carrier to the corn mixture and they have a very high feeding value and are easily digestible by the bird. Difference in protein percentage can differ from type to type. Those used by Johnston & Jeff offers consistency of percentage. We do not use cheaper peas like the Canadian trapper peas where the difference in protein content may be 10% lower than those that come from New Zealand.

Beans

The same feeding value as Peas but on average have a little more protein and fat. The Tic Bean is an ideal breeding food for young pigeons.

Wheat

The wheat used in our mixtures is grown by a farmer just outside of Hull and the wheat bought is of biscuit quality. This means that it has a high percentage of protein and a lower percentage of fat then maize.

New crop wheat is always used for the Moulting mixture as new crop wheat contains a lot of sulphur which is an ideal moulting stimulant.

Tares

These are actually a pulse and are very high in protein and therefore are only used sparingly in mixtures.

Safflowerseed

Is rich in good digestible proteins and oils, phosphor and vitamins. This is why they are very useful in moulting and racing mixtures but their own problem is lack of Vitamin E content.

White Dari

It is very sweet for pigeons to eat but contains very little fat and very little protein. It is therefore, an ideal grain to put in to depurative mixtures or as a supplementary regulator to prevent a mixture becoming too heavy to digest.

Red Dari (Milo)

Very similar to White Dari in that it contains very little fat and only around 7.6% protein so prevents the fattening of pigeons.

Naked Oats

Very highly digestible food offering reasonable amounts of protein and extremely digestible fats.

Barley

This contains a lot of raw cellulose, little fat and little digestible protein. This is the ideal cereal for depurative mixtures and overweight pigeons can be brought in to condition again with barley.

Buckwheat

Contains an awful lot of raw cellulose but less fat than that of oats and the protein is a higher biological feeding value than most of the cereals. To be used sparingly in mixtures.

Linseed

Linseed contains a lot of fat and proteins; it is also a laxative and gives a shine to feathers. Hence its use in moulting mixtures and depurative mixtures. It must be used sparingly due to its properties.