If you’ve just started your farm in Stardew Valley and got yourself some chickens, you might be wondering: how do you feed a chicken in Stardew Valley? Feeding your chickens properly is essential to keep them happy and productive, so they lay eggs every day. Let’s dive into the simple yet important ways to feed your feathery friends and keep your farm thriving!
Why Feeding Chickens Matters
In Stardew Valley, chickens don’t just eat for survival-they eat to be happy. Happy chickens produce more eggs, and better-quality eggs, which means more gold for you! If chickens aren’t fed or petted daily, their happiness drops, and they might stop laying eggs altogether. So feeding them is key to making your farm successful and profitable.
What Do Chickens Eat in Stardew Valley?
Chickens eat two main types of food:
– Hay
– Fresh grass
Both options work well, but chickens prefer fresh grass over hay because it makes them happier.
How to Feed Chickens Hay
Hay is the most reliable food source for your chickens, especially during winter when grass doesn’t grow.
How to Get Hay
– Buy from Marnie’s Ranch: Marnie sells hay for 50 gold per piece, but her ranch is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and certain holidays, so plan ahead.
– Harvest your own hay: You can cut tall grass on your farm with a scythe to collect hay. There’s a 50% chance of getting hay from cutting grass, and a 75% chance if you use a Golden Scythe.
– Build a silo: Robin can build a silo for you (costing 100 coins, 100 stones, 10 clay, and 5 copper bars). Once built, the silo stores hay automatically when you cut grass, making feeding easier.
Feeding Hay to Chickens
Once you have hay, place it on the feeding bench inside the coop. If you have a silo, you can withdraw hay from the hay hopper inside the coop and put it on the feeding bench. Each chicken needs one piece of hay per day. If you have a Big Coop or Deluxe Coop, the feeding process can be automated, saving you time.
How to Feed Chickens Fresh Grass
Chickens love fresh grass and will happily eat it if you let them outside.
How to Let Chickens Eat Grass
– Open the coop’s outside door during the day.
– Let your chickens roam freely in grassy areas.
– They will eat the grass naturally, which makes them happier than eating hay.
Important Notes About Grass Feeding
– Grass disappears during winter, so this method only works in spring, summer, and fall.
– Always make sure all chickens are inside the coop before nightfall to keep them safe and happy.
Tips to Keep Your Chickens Happy and Productive
– Feed them daily: Chickens need to be fed every day except the day they hatch or are purchased.
– Pet your chickens: Interacting with your chickens daily increases their happiness and friendship, which leads to higher-quality eggs.
– Let them outside when possible: Chickens prefer grass and being outside, which boosts their mood.
– Prepare for winter: Stockpile hay in your silo before winter since grass won’t grow.
Summary: Feeding Your Chickens Made Easy
– Use hay or fresh grass to feed chickens.
– Let chickens out to eat grass in warm seasons.
– Use hay during winter or when grass isn’t available.
– Store hay in a silo for convenience.
– Feed one piece of hay per chicken per day.
– Don’t forget to pet your chickens daily!
Feeding your chickens in Stardew Valley is straightforward but crucial for a thriving farm. With these tips, your chickens will stay happy and productive, filling your coop with eggs to sell or use in delicious recipes.
Keep your chickens well-fed and happy, and watch your Stardew Valley farm flourish!