Im the same, wheat is the one for pheasants. They just dont like barley, probably the tougher husk.
Ducks love barley, its what ive always used, and I also used to get sacks of windfall apples from an orchard, which they ate aswell (but only as an extra bonus for them on top of the barley). But if cash is tight, then free, waste fruit or veg is a good help.