Feed grains address a different issue than hay. They provide energy, while hay offers fiber. Feeding grains incorrectly can lead to problems that hay does not cause. A farm that treats grain like hay adds more when animals look hungry. This often leads to mistakes. They usually learn the hard way. This page discusses the grains available in the UAE. It explains how to introduce them safely and store them to avoid pest damage.
The three main feed grains in the animal feed supplier in UAE are barley, corn, and oats. They vary in energy density and fiber content. Choosing the wrong one for your animal can waste money.
Corn has the highest energy density of the three grains. It is the main grain in poultry feed, forming a large part of most commercial formulations. Barley has less energy than corn but offers more fiber. This extra fiber makes it a better choice for ruminants like cattle, sheep, camels, and goats. It helps prevent digestive problems that grains can cause. Oats have the lowest energy of the three options. This is mainly because about a quarter to a third of an oat kernel’s weight is hull, not usable grain. But this lower energy density makes oats a safe option for horses and animals new to grain.
For a mixed farm with different species, barley is often the best grain to stock. It works well for ruminants and has less risk of acidosis compared to corn at higher rates.
Whole grain acts differently than rolled or flaked grain after an animal eats it. This is an often-overlooked choice that buyers face.
Whole grain often goes undigested in animals, especially cattle. This means some of what you pay for is wasted. Rolling or flaking cracks the outer hull. This exposes more starch in the grain, greatly improving digestibility. This is especially true for barley and corn fed to cattle. The tradeoff is that processed grain ferments faster in the rumen. This can raise the risk of acidosis if you don’t manage the ratio carefully. Grinding grain too fine can cause problems. It may upset digestion and lower fiber effectiveness in the diet. Ruminants often steer clear of finely ground grain, even if it looks “easier to digest.”
For horses, rolled or crushed oats are safer than rolled barley or corn. Horses are sensitive to too much starch.
Grain has much more starch than hay. Feeding too much grain too fast is the main cause of serious digestive issues in livestock.
When ruminants eat a lot of grain suddenly, their rumen microbes can struggle. This quick fermentation lowers rumen pH and may cause acidosis. In mild cases, animals may lose appetite and have loose manure. In severe cases, it can become a serious emergency. Bloat is a risk, especially when grain is fed with legume hay like alfalfa. Both can cause gas to build up in the rumen quickly. This can happen faster than the animal can expel it.
The safe way is to introduce grain slowly. Start with a small amount about a quarter to half percent of body weight per feeding. Then, increase this over one to two weeks. Keep an eye on manure consistency and appetite during this time. Don’t introduce a large new grain ration all at once. Even if a supplier says the animal will “adjust fine,” remember that the adjustment period is important for a real physiological reason. It’s not just a precaution to skip when it’s convenient.
Grain should be a supplement to forage, not a replacement. The ideal ratio depends on the species and the production stage.
Dairy cattle and camels in milk production: Grain can provide a significant part of the diet for high energy needs. However, it should be added slowly and balanced with forage intake.
Beef cattle in a finishing phase: Higher grain inclusion is standard. However, fiber content in the diet should stay above 6 percent. This helps avoid acidosis.
General maintenance livestock (non lactating goats, mature cattle, camels not in work): grain is often unnecessary entirely, or limited to a small daily amount as a treat or mineral carrier
Horses: Grain should be a smaller part of the diet compared to forage. If you do horse feed grain, split it into several small meals instead of one big one. Horses can have digestive problems if they eat too much starch at once. This is important to remember
Grain storage is different from hay storage. The biggest risks for grain are pest infestation and aflatoxin contamination. In contrast, mold from moisture is the main worry with baled hay.
Weevils and other pests love warm grain silos and bins, especially in the UAE heat. So, store grain in sealed, pest-proof containers instead of open sacks in a barn. Aflatoxin is a toxin made by mold in warm, humid conditions. It poses a real health risk in improperly stored or old grain. Unlike hay mold, aflatoxin isn’t always visible or detectable by smell. Buying grain in smaller, more frequent batches lowers risks. Fresher grain has less time to develop problems.
Grain isn’t needed by all animals feed companies. It helps provide energy that forage alone can’t supply. This is especially true for certain species and production stages.
Poultry need grain, mostly corn, for energy. Their digestive systems work best with concentrated diets. This is different from ruminants, which handle fibrous forage. Lactating dairy cattle and camels often need grain to meet their energy needs. Hay alone can’t provide enough during peak production. General-purpose camels, mature cattle, and maintenance-level goats and sheep can do well on forage alone. Adding grain doesn’t help unless there’s a clear energy need. It often just increases costs and raises the risk of acidosis.
Barley is a great option for ruminants because of its fiber. Corn is best for poultry since it packs in energy. Oats make a safe starter grain for horses.
It depends on the species and production stage. Grain should be added slowly. Start with about a quarter to half a percent of body weight. Then, increase it over one to two weeks.
Acidosis occurs when grain ferments quickly, causing rumen pH to drop fast. This often happens when grain is added too quickly. Gradual introduction and keeping fiber content in the diet above roughly 6 percent helps prevent it.
In sealed, pest proof containers rather than open sacks, and in smaller batches bought more frequently. One large stockpile, to reduce both pest infestation and aflatoxin risk.
No, poultry and lactating dairy animals typically need it as an energy source. But many general purpose livestock do fine on forage alone without added grain.
Rolled or flaked grain has a cracked outer hull, which improves digestibility, particularly for cattle. It also ferments faster, which is why processed grain needs more careful ration management than whole grain.
Whether you need barley, corn, oats, hay, or complete livestock feed, our team can help you choose the right products for your animals. Explore our Premium Animal Feed UAE products or contact us today for expert advice and a free quotation.
Premium supplier of hay, grass, and animal feed in the UAE, serving horse stables, camel farms, sheep and goat farms, and livestock businesses with quality products, reliable supply, and fast delivery across all Emirates.
To get the latest on animal feed and care, sign up for the fooders newsletter.
