The influence of added niacin (0, 0.5 or 1 g per animal per day) and different crude protein contents (9.2 to 12.0% of DM) or the supply of various N-sources (urea, rape seed meal, soya bean meal, fish meal) were investigated on rumen fermentation, blood parameters, feed intake, weight gain and dry matter (DM) intake per weight gain in three individual feeding experiments with 156 growing bulls weighing between 175 and 300 kg per animal. Niacin supplementation did not significantly influence (P > 0.05) investigated parameters of rumen fermentation and blood. Ruminal propionate concentration increased insignificantly (from 18.9 to 19.5 moles per 100 moles on the average), inorganic P of blood serum somewhat decreased (from 2.98 to 2.82 mmol per 1) when niacin was added (P > 0.05). Protein level did not significantly influence rumen fermentation and blood parameters except an increased urea concentration in the blood of cattle fed with diets richer in protein. The DM intake of control bulls and niacin supplemented animals amounted to 6.35 and 6.46 kg per animal per day on average. Influence of niacin on DM intake varied in dependence on protein source. The daily weight gain increased from 1003 (control) to 1040 g per animal per day (+ niacin, P > 0.05). Niacin increased weight gain of bulls of urea (+ 43 g) and rape seed or soya bean meal added rations (+ 60 g per animal per day), but did not influence the weight gain in fish meal added rations. Increased weight gain resulted from ruminal and metabolic effects (about 2/3) as well as enhanced feed intake of bulls (about 1/3). Feed efficiency mostly improved.