rimworld feeding animals in pens

3 min read 10-03-2025

RimWorld's challenging survival mechanics extend beyond managing your colonists. Successfully raising animals requires understanding their needs, especially feeding them efficiently within their pens. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about feeding animals in RimWorld pens, ensuring your livestock thrive and contribute to your colony's success.

Setting Up Your Animal Pens

Before discussing feeding, let's ensure your pens are properly set up for optimal animal care and feeding efficiency.

Choosing the Right Pen Size

The size of your pen depends on the number and type of animals you intend to house. Cramped conditions lead to stress, illness, and reduced productivity. Consult the in-game animal info to determine the appropriate space per animal. Remember to factor in future growth if you plan on breeding.

Pen Design and Features

Consider these elements when designing your animal pens:

Feeding troughs: Strategically place feeding troughs to ensure easy access for all animals. Avoid overcrowding around the trough.
Water sources: Provide clean water sources, ideally multiple for larger pens.
Space for movement: Animals need sufficient space to roam and avoid feeling confined.
Shelter: Provide shelter from harsh weather conditions.
Cleaning: Design pens for easy cleaning to prevent disease outbreaks.

Different Feeding Methods

There are several approaches to feeding your penned animals in RimWorld. Choosing the right method depends on your colony's resources and your overall strategy.

Manual Feeding

This involves directly placing food into the troughs. It provides the most control over what your animals eat, ensuring a balanced diet. However, it's time-consuming, especially with large herds.

Automated Feeding

Using a stockpile and a designated feeding trough, you can set up automated feeding. Colonists will automatically refill the trough when it's low. This is efficient for larger colonies, freeing up your colonists' time.

Using Hay

Hay is an efficient and inexpensive way to feed herbivores. It requires less storage space compared to other food types and is easy to produce in bulk. However, ensure you have sufficient grazing land or dedicated farmland for hay production.

Using Storage and Dispensers

For large-scale operations, consider using dedicated animal food storage and dispensers. This allows for large quantities of food to be stored nearby and automatically dispensed to the troughs. This requires more upfront investment but significantly improves efficiency in the long run.

What to Feed Your Animals

The type of food you provide is crucial for animal health and productivity.

Herbivores

Herbivores require plant-based food, such as hay, vegetables, and fruits. A balanced diet is essential for growth, milk production (for milkable animals), and wool production (for sheepable animals).

Carnivores

Carnivores require meat. Providing the correct type and quantity of meat is critical. You may need to hunt, butcher, or purchase meat from traders to meet their dietary requirements. Raw meat is preferable for carnivores, though processed meat can be used in a pinch.

Omnivores

Omnivores have more flexible diets. They can consume both plant and animal-based foods, offering more options in terms of feeding them.

Preventing and Addressing Issues

Even with proper feeding, issues can arise.

Overfeeding/Underfeeding

Monitor your animals regularly. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and health problems, while underfeeding leads to starvation and reduced productivity.

Spoilage

Spoiled food can cause sickness and death. Ensure proper storage and timely replenishment of food troughs.

Disease

Keep pens clean to prevent the spread of disease. Regularly check animals for signs of illness and treat promptly.

Advanced Feeding Techniques

For more experienced players, consider these advanced techniques:

Breeding: Optimizing diets for pregnant animals to enhance the health and survival rate of newborns.
Special diets: Using specific food items to boost certain animal attributes, like increasing milk production or wool quality.
Food prioritization: Carefully choosing what food is consumed first based on their nutritional value and availability.

Conclusion: Happy Animals, Thriving Colony

Efficiently feeding your animals in RimWorld is critical for a thriving colony. By understanding different feeding methods, choosing the correct food types, and addressing potential issues, you can ensure your livestock contribute positively to your settlement's growth and success. Remember to carefully monitor your animals' health and adjust your feeding strategy accordingly. A happy, well-fed animal is a productive animal!