In one embodiment, packets received at head-end nodes in a computer network may have a payload and protocol ID of an original protocol of the packet. To allow load balancing across the network, the head-end node may convert the protocol ID to indicate a UDP packet, and may insert a UDP shim header into the packet having a load balance ID, at least one port ID of a destination tail-end node of the packet, and an indication of the original protocol ID. The head-end node may transmit the converted UDP packet toward the tail-end node as part of a load-balanced UDP flow based on the load balance ID. Tail-end nodes may receive UDP packets, and determine whether they are converted UDP packets. If so, the original protocol of the packet may be determined, the UDP header may be removed, and the packet may be processed according to the original protocol.