Rimworld How to Feed Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Critters Happy and Well-Fed

Feeding animals in Rimworld is a crucial aspect of colony management, and it can be both rewarding and challenging. Whether you’re raising livestock for food, wool, or simply companionship, understanding the intricacies of animal feeding is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies, tips, and tricks to ensure your animals are well-fed and thriving. From pasture management to automated feeding systems, we’ll cover it all. And while we’re at it, let’s ponder the philosophical question: If a muffalo eats a nutrient paste meal in the forest, does it make a sound?

1. Understanding Animal Diets

Before diving into feeding strategies, it’s important to understand the dietary needs of different animals in Rimworld. Animals can be broadly categorized into herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores.

• Herbivores: Animals like muffalos, alpacas, and cows primarily eat plants. They can graze on grass or consume hay, kibble, or other plant-based foods.
• Omnivores: Pigs and chickens fall into this category. They can eat both plant and animal-based foods, making them more versatile in terms of diet.
• Carnivores: Wolves, wargs, and other predators require meat to survive. They can also eat kibble or other animal-based foods.

Understanding these dietary needs is the first step in ensuring your animals are well-fed.

2. Pasture Management

One of the most straightforward ways to feed herbivores is by allowing them to graze on natural grass. However, this requires careful management of your colony’s land.

• Designate Grazing Areas: Use the “Zone” tool to create areas where your animals can graze. Ensure these areas are large enough to support the number of animals you have.
• Rotate Grazing Areas: Overgrazing can deplete the grass in an area, leading to starvation. Rotate your animals between different grazing zones to allow grass to regrow.
• Grow Hay: In biomes where grass is scarce, consider growing hay. Hay can be harvested and stored for later use, providing a reliable food source during winter or dry seasons.

3. Storing Animal Feed

Proper storage of animal feed is essential to prevent spoilage and ensure a steady supply.

• Refrigerated Storage: Store perishable foods like hay and kibble in refrigerated areas to extend their shelf life. This is especially important in warmer climates.
• Stockpile Management: Create dedicated stockpiles for animal feed near your grazing areas or barns. This reduces the time your colonists spend transporting food to animals.
• Emergency Reserves: Always keep a reserve of animal feed in case of emergencies, such as a sudden cold snap or a raid that disrupts your food supply.

4. Automated Feeding Systems

As your colony grows, manually feeding animals can become time-consuming. Automating the process can save your colonists valuable time.

• Animal Food Dispensers: Use mods or in-game mechanics to create automated feeding systems. For example, you can set up a dispenser that releases kibble or hay when animals are nearby.
• Scheduled Feeding: Assign colonists to specific feeding schedules to ensure animals are fed regularly without overburdening your workforce.
• Animal Zones: Create zones that restrict animals to areas near their food sources. This minimizes the distance they need to travel to eat, reducing the risk of starvation.

5. Breeding and Population Control

Managing the population of your animals is crucial to maintaining a sustainable food supply.

• Controlled Breeding: Allow only a certain number of animals to breed to prevent overpopulation. This can be done by separating males and females or using mods that allow for more precise control.
• Culling: Regularly cull older or less productive animals to free up resources for younger, more productive ones. This also provides a source of meat and leather.
• Selling Excess Animals: If your colony is producing more animals than it can support, consider selling the excess to traders. This can provide a valuable source of income.

6. Special Considerations for Carnivores

Feeding carnivores can be more challenging due to their specific dietary requirements.

• Hunting: Assign colonists to hunt wild animals for meat. This can be a risky endeavor, so ensure your hunters are well-equipped and protected.
• Butchering: Butcher hunted animals or culled livestock to produce meat. This meat can then be used to feed carnivores or turned into kibble.
• Kibble Production: Kibble is a versatile food that can be made from both plant and animal ingredients. It’s an excellent way to feed both herbivores and carnivores, making it a valuable resource in any colony.

7. Dealing with Food Shortages

Even with the best planning, food shortages can occur. Here are some strategies to mitigate the impact on your animals.

• Prioritize Feeding: In times of scarcity, prioritize feeding animals that are essential to your colony’s survival, such as those used for transportation or wool production.
• Emergency Slaughter: If food shortages are severe, consider slaughtering some animals to reduce the overall demand for food.
• Trade for Food: If possible, trade with other factions for additional food supplies. This can be a lifesaver in dire situations.

8. Advanced Feeding Strategies

For experienced players, there are more advanced strategies to optimize animal feeding.

• Nutrient Paste Meals: While primarily designed for colonists, nutrient paste meals can also be used to feed animals. This is particularly useful in emergencies or when other food sources are scarce.
• Genetic Modification: Some mods allow for genetic modification of animals, potentially altering their dietary needs or increasing their food efficiency.
• Climate Control: In extreme climates, consider building indoor barns with climate control to ensure a steady supply of food year-round.

9. Ethical Considerations

Feeding animals in Rimworld isn’t just about efficiency; it’s also about ethics.

• Animal Welfare: Ensure your animals have enough space, food, and care to live comfortably. Overcrowding or neglect can lead to health issues and reduced productivity.
• Humane Slaughter: When culling animals, do so humanely to minimize suffering. This can be achieved through quick and efficient slaughter methods.
• Companionship: Some animals, like dogs and cats, serve as companions to your colonists. Ensure they are well-fed and cared for, as they contribute to the mental well-being of your colony.

10. Conclusion

Feeding animals in Rimworld is a multifaceted task that requires careful planning and management. By understanding the dietary needs of your animals, managing pastures, and implementing automated feeding systems, you can ensure your animals are well-fed and your colony thrives. Remember, a well-fed animal is a happy animal, and a happy animal contributes to a successful colony.

Related Q&A

Q: Can animals eat raw food, or do they need cooked meals? A: Most animals can eat raw food, but some, like dogs, can also eat cooked meals. However, feeding animals raw food is generally more efficient, as it doesn’t require additional processing.

Q: How do I prevent animals from eating my colonists’ food? A: Use zoning to restrict animals from areas where human food is stored. You can also create separate stockpiles for animal feed to ensure they don’t consume your colonists’ meals.

Q: What’s the best way to feed animals during winter? A: During winter, when grass is scarce, rely on stored hay, kibble, or other plant-based foods. Ensure you have enough reserves to last through the cold months.

Q: Can animals forage for their own food? A: Some animals, like chickens, can forage for food if allowed to roam in areas with vegetation. However, this is less reliable than providing a steady supply of feed.

Q: How do I manage feeding for a large number of animals? A: For large herds, consider automated feeding systems, such as dispensers or scheduled feeding. Additionally, ensure you have enough grazing land or stored feed to support the population.