Can Chickens Eat Rice Krispies? (Benefits of Cereals)

Yes, chickens can eat Rice Krispies. They can eat most cereals, as long as they’re not the sugary types. Basically, Rice Krispies are made from crisped rice, so they make for a great and safe treat.

One of the best things about raising backyard chickens is that they’re more than happy to gobble up anything we don’t want to eat.

The only thing you need to do is check that it’s safe for them to eat - which I’m sure you always do, hence why you’re reading this.

Cereals, in general, are fine for chickens. Here are some of the things you need to know about feeding chickens cereal and some of the best types:

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Are Cereals Fine for Chickens?

As I mentioned, generally speaking, cereals are fine for your chooks, yes. However, obviously, there are hundreds (I guess) of different types of cereals on the shelves so you do need to be cautious.

You shouldn’t give your chickens too much cereal that is high in sugar. They taste great to us, but the reality is that all the sugar, additives, and other stuff in some cereals that make them taste so good aren’t ideal for chickens (or us to be honest).

Chickens have very different dietary requirements from us. Your chickens should be eating around 100-120 grams of quality chicken feed each day. This will ensure they’re getting all the good nutrition they need to stay healthy and lay eggs at their best.

Foods we eat, like cereals, table scraps, leftovers like vegetables and fruits, etc. are all treats for chickens.

We typically give these foods to our backyard chooks because it’s a great way to reduce wastage, and let’s be honest, chickens look so happy gobbling up leftovers, don’t they?

Which Cereals Are Best for Chickens?

There are loads of different cereals that are great for chickens, some of the best are; Shredded Wheat, Cornflakes, granola, Cheerios, and Weetabix to mention a few.

Just think, a large part of a chicken’s diet comes from grains. Chicken feed is typically around 70% cereal grains. Those cereals I mentioned above contain wheat and other grains without being coated in sugar, chocolate, or other toppings.

I will point out while on the topic that this means you should skip Rice Krispie Treats. I don’t know if you have these where you live, but they are basically blocks of Rice Krispies stuck together with butter and marshmallows.

Very delicious and easier to eat on the move as they don’t crumble. But, I’d avoid giving these to your chickens as they’re higher in fats and sugars.

Related - Can chickens eat marshmallows?

Can Chickens Eat Puffed Rice?

Puffed rice is made from corn swollen under the effect of heat, just like popcorn. It’s commonly used in cereals and snacks, although this isn’t the same thing as Rice Krispies.

Puffed rice is also fine for chickens as a treat. It’s made from any type of rice, and is the result of heating up some oil, throwing the rice in, then straining the oil out by pouring the rice through a sieve.

Rice Krispies are made by cooking, drying, and toasting a certain type of medium-grain rice from Louisiana and Arkansas. It’s a similar process and is just as fine for chickens.

Related - Can chickens eat popcorn?

Some Other Treat Foods That Chickens Love

Treating chickens and ‘recycling’ scraps can become quite addictive. Here are some of the other foods that are great for chickens and will help add some variation to their diets and keep them happy:

Vegetables - Most vegetables are fine, although it’s always worth checking as some aren’t. Some of the best are beets, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, etc.

Fruits – Fruits contain a wide range of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other good stuff. Most are fine for chickens, and it’s a great way to reduce wastage by giving them the parts you don’t eat. Try them on berries, bananas, peaches, or melons and you’ll see what I mean.

Herbs - Herbs are interesting as they can provide some interesting and unique health benefits. It’s worth looking into any herbs you grow or use in the kitchen and seeing how they might benefit your flock.

Grains - Grains are a staple of what chickens love and eat. Rice, corn, wheat, etc, are all great for chickens and gives them something to scratch around and forage for.

In Summary

There you go, Rice Krispies are fine for chickens. This cereal also gives them something to scratch around for, so it’s a win-win.

Just remember to keep Krispies and other foods as treats. As long as your chickens are getting 90% of their diet from a formulated feed, it’s fine to spoil them a little.