There is no question that whole grains supply all of the available nutrition, and when ground or cracked they lose some of that nutrition. Still freshly ground or cracked grains offers the same, and what is there is more available. It is not as if it all magically disappears as soon as it is ground. It just loses faster once the external protection has been broken, so time in storage is the issue. I do not but cracked corn for this reason. Only that I do not know how long ago it was cracked. I buy whole corn.
It is true that old heirloom varieties of corn had more protein. They also did not produce nearly as much though. The benefit of corn is the energy content, not it's protein content. We are much better at producing corn for what we need it than we used to be. If you were growing your own corn maybe a few% more protein is a benefit, if it is worth the cost of twice the area planted. If I am buying it, it is more efficient to pay 7.00 for 50lbs than 15.00 for 50lbs. I would rather spend the extra money on something much better at contributing protein and higher quality protein.
I think we have the safest and most efficient food production in the world. To a point where we all eat like Kings. I suspect if we had to live at a different time or in a different place, we would appreciate it more. I feel as if we are a bit spoiled.
I am in the middle on the GMO thing. I do not have an issue with playing geneticist in the lab. We have been playing with and manipulating plants and animals for our use for thousands of years. We have come a long ways because of it. If it is more efficient to do it in the lab (plants), then so be it. Where I get uncomfortable is when genes from different species are put together. That is my personal draw the line. If corn genes are mixed with corn, I am ok. We have done that in the field for a long time, so if they do it n the lab, I am ok. I just do not like cross species manipulation.
So to sum that idea up, for me genetic modification is an ancient practice. We do it every generation. We just do not cross chickens with Turkey Vultures.
I cannot do any better than the available commercial rations. If I could do it better or equally as well, and spend the same or less . . . I would. Until then I will get a quality bagged ration. I will let them range as much a I can, and throw them some whole grains. The whole grains to work those gizzards (something the commercial rations does not do) and as a management tool.
Concerning the bird seed, I think a little bit is good. It adds variety and bulk. Then it depends on the bird seed mix. A little red millet is good, but too much is detrimental because of the anti nutrient qualities. The same with sorghum.
And I still do not buy the whole grain in the cold idea. I think that is one of those things that has been passed down that we have come to believe with no actual proof. That stuff was started when birds did not get the rations that they do now. The benefit would have been giving them a higher energy ration. More energy is required to stay warm. The more nutritious the ration is, the better able the birds will withstand the cold. I think that the birds would be better for us spending that time and energy ensuring the birds have adequate shelter. Good shelter is what these bird are going to need to withstand -40 wind chills. Those temperature extremes are going to put the housing to the test, not the feed.
I am just sharing the conclusions that I have come to, understanding that there is a variety of view points, ideals, and ideas.
