Niacin Levels in our Layer FeedUpdated a day ago

There are four main sources of niacin in animal feed:

1. Niacin naturally present in cereal grains like wheat (grains like corn contain very little). This form isn’t very bioavailable, meaning animals can’t absorb and use much of it. That’s one reason homemade feeds don’t always work well for ducks — the niacin naturally present in grains isn’t enough on its own.
2. Niacin the animal’s body produces from tryptophan, an amino acid found in protein. How much this produces varies depending on the rest of the diet. Ruminants (animals with multiple stomachs, like cattle) can also produce some niacin through fermentation in the rumen.
3. Niacin the body converts from Vitamin K. This is another area where homemade feeds can fall short if they don’t include added vitamins.
4. Nicotinic acid (niacinamide) — the commercially produced form of the vitamin. This is the only source that can be reliably measured and guaranteed, which is why feed mills and human food and vitamin manufacturers rely on it.

When we formulate our feed, we account for all of this. Not enough niacin can lead to serious deficiencies, especially in waterfowl like ducks. Too much niacin is rare and would require a significant manufacturing error — animals excrete excess niacin naturally, so it would take an enormous amount to cause any harm. Our formulations are nowhere near that level.