Feeding your animals in RimWorld is crucial for their health, happiness, and productivity. Neglecting their dietary needs will lead to unhappy, unproductive, and potentially sick animals, impacting your colony's overall success. This guide will cover various aspects of animal feeding, from basic necessities to advanced strategies.
What Do RimWorld Animals Eat?
Different animals have different dietary needs. Understanding these needs is the cornerstone of successful animal husbandry. Generally, animals are categorized by their preferred food type:
- Herbivores: These animals eat plants. Examples include sheep, alpacas, and some insects. They'll happily munch on haygrass, and other plant-based meals.
- Carnivores: These animals need meat to survive. Think wolves, huskies, and certain birds of prey. Raw meat is their primary food source, but they may also accept certain prepared meals.
- Omnivores: These animals eat both plants and meat. Examples include chickens, pigs, and bears. A balanced diet of both plant and meat-based foods is essential for their well-being.
You can check an animal's dietary preferences in its individual information tab. This will clearly state what type of food it prefers.
How to Provide Food for Your Animals
The most straightforward method is to designate a dedicated area as a "feeding zone." Animals will automatically go there to eat food you've placed nearby. You can either directly drop food items into the feeding zone or use a stockpile zone specifically designated for animal feed.
Using Stockpiles for Efficient Animal Feeding:
This is the recommended method, particularly for larger colonies. Create a stockpile zone and filter it to only accept the food items your animals consume. This keeps your feeding area organized and prevents animals from scavenging unwanted items.
Manually Feeding Animals:
While less efficient, manually feeding animals can be useful for specific situations, such as providing special treats or ensuring picky eaters get enough to eat. Simply select the food and right-click on the animal to feed it.
What Happens if Animals Don't Get Enough Food?
Starving animals will become unhappy, lose weight, and produce less (wool, eggs, milk, etc.). Severe starvation can lead to illness and even death. Monitor your animal's health regularly and adjust their food supply as needed. Paying close attention to their mood is also key, as unhappiness is often an early warning sign of inadequate nutrition.
What Food is Best for My Animals?
The "best" food depends on the animal and your colony's resources. Here are some key considerations:
- Haygrass: A staple food for many herbivores, it's relatively easy to grow.
- Kibble: A processed food that's efficient and provides a balanced diet for many animals. It requires ingredients, such as meat and vegetables.
- Raw Meat: Essential for carnivores, this can be obtained from hunting or butchering.
- Vegetable Crops: Supplementing with different crops can provide a more varied and nutritious diet for omnivores.
Experiment to find what works best for your animals.
How to Improve Animal Feed Efficiency
- Automated Food Delivery: Consider using a hauling system to automatically deliver food to the animal's stockpile.
- Prioritize Food Production: Ensure you have enough farmland to grow sufficient haygrass or other suitable crops.
- Efficient Butchering: Utilize butcher tables for efficient meat processing, reducing spoilage and maximizing yields.
- Breeding Strategies: Breeding animals that are efficient eaters and producers.
How Often Should I Feed My Animals?
Animals don't need to be fed constantly; they will graze autonomously on nearby food. Focus on ensuring a sufficient supply of food is always available in their designated feeding zones or stockpiles.
By following these tips, you can effectively feed your animals and maintain a thriving and productive animal population within your RimWorld colony. Remember to observe your animals regularly, paying attention to their food consumption and overall health. Happy animals mean a happier and more successful colony!
