Wheat is usually considered a source of human food rather than an ingredient for poultry and livestock feeds. This is especially true in the United States, where corn, milo and other feed grains are abundantly produced. In recent years one of every two bushels of wheat produced in the United States has been exported. If world production and supplies of wheat are high, a surplus develops and wheat prices are lowered. When this situation occurs wheat becomes an attractive alternative to corn or milo in many areas of Nebraska and in other midwestern and western states.
Wheat is quite palatable to poultry.
The protein content of wheat is higher than corn and may be higher than milo. The first step in formulating rations with wheat is the determination of protein content and consideration of other nutrient levels. Corn, milo and wheat are compared as to composition in the tables. Additional methionine would most likely further improve layer performance, especially when feed consumption was low. The physical form in which wheat is fed can be important, since finely ground wheat becomes very sticky when wet.