Wheat bran is produced during the flour milling of wheat and consists of the protective layers of wheat grains. Bran contains much of the vitamins and protein of the wheat grain.
Wheat bran is very palatable and can be fed to pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep and horses. Wheat bran has a laxative effect due partly to the fibre being only partially digested.
SUGGESTED MAXIMUM INCLUSION RATES IN TOTAL DIET
SPECIES
MAX. INCLUSION RATES
PIGS – Weaner
Nil
PIGS – Grower
15%
PIGS – Finisher
25%
PIGS – Breeder
30%
POULTRY – Broiler
10%
POULTRY – Layer
15%
CATTLE
50%
HORSES
50%
SHEEP
50%
LIMITATIONS
Due to the high fibre levels and the laxative effect, wheat bran should not be fed to young stock.
The bulkiness of bran could limit its use in feed with automatic feeding equipment. (Levels up to 15% will not usually cause these problems but this may vary depending on the characteristics of the feed bin in use.)
Further limitations may be imposed by the bulkiness of the material.