How to Feed Animals Rimworld: A Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Critters Happy and Healthy

Feeding animals in Rimworld can be a challenging yet rewarding aspect of the game. Whether you’re raising livestock for food, wool, or companionship, understanding the intricacies of animal nutrition is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies to ensure your animals are well-fed, healthy, and productive. Additionally, we’ll touch on some unconventional methods that might just spark your creativity in managing your colony’s fauna.

Understanding Animal Diets

1. Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores

Herbivores: Animals like deer, muffalo, and alpacas primarily consume plant matter. Ensure you have a steady supply of haygrass, dandelions, or other vegetation.
Carnivores: Wolves, wargs, and cougars require meat. Hunting wild animals or butchering corpses can provide the necessary sustenance.
Omnivores: Pigs and bears can eat both plants and meat, offering more flexibility in their diet.

2. Nutritional Needs

Different animals have varying nutritional requirements. Larger animals generally need more food, while smaller ones can survive on less.
Monitor your animals’ hunger levels and adjust food supplies accordingly to prevent malnutrition or starvation.

Feeding Strategies

1. Pasture Management

Designate grazing areas by creating zones filled with grass or haygrass. This allows herbivores to feed naturally without depleting your food stores.
Rotate pastures to prevent overgrazing and ensure a sustainable food source.

2. Stockpiling Food

Build barns or storage areas to stockpile hay, kibble, and other animal feed. This is especially important during winter or toxic fallout when natural food sources are scarce.
Use refrigerated storage to preserve perishable items like meat and vegetables.

3. Kibble Production

Kibble is a versatile food source made from meat and vegetables. It’s suitable for both herbivores and carnivores, making it an excellent option for mixed-species colonies.
Set up a dedicated cooking station to produce kibble efficiently.

4. Hunting and Scavenging

Regularly hunt wild animals to supplement your meat supply. Be cautious of predators that might attack your colonists.
Scavenge animal corpses from raids or natural events to gather additional resources.

Special Considerations

1. Taming and Training

Tamed animals require regular feeding to maintain their loyalty. Ensure you have enough food to support your tamed creatures.
Train animals to haul or guard, which can indirectly aid in food collection and protection.

2. Breeding and Population Control

Overpopulation can strain your food resources. Implement breeding programs carefully and consider culling excess animals to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Use sterilization or separation techniques to control breeding rates.

3. Environmental Factors

Extreme weather conditions, such as cold snaps or heatwaves, can affect food availability. Prepare by stockpiling extra feed and creating sheltered areas for your animals.
Toxic fallout and blight can devastate crops and natural vegetation. Have contingency plans, such as indoor farming or emergency food supplies.

Unconventional Feeding Methods

1. Cannibalism and Recycling

In dire situations, some players resort to feeding carnivores with the remains of fallen colonists or raiders. While ethically questionable, it can be a practical solution in survival scenarios.
Recycling animal byproducts, such as leather and bones, into kibble or other food items can maximize resource efficiency.

2. Symbiotic Relationships

Establish symbiotic relationships between different animal species. For example, chickens can eat insect meat, reducing the need for other food sources.
Use animals to clean up waste or leftover food, turning potential problems into valuable resources.

3. Experimental Diets

Experiment with unconventional food sources, such as nutrient paste or insect jelly, to see how animals react. Some may thrive on these diets, while others might suffer adverse effects.
Research and develop new feeding techniques through trial and error, adapting to the unique challenges of your colony.

Conclusion

Feeding animals in Rimworld requires a blend of strategic planning, resource management, and adaptability. By understanding the dietary needs of your animals and implementing effective feeding strategies, you can ensure their well-being and enhance your colony’s overall productivity. Don’t be afraid to explore unconventional methods and think outside the box to keep your critters happy and healthy.

Q: How do I prevent my animals from eating my colonists’ food? A: Designate separate storage areas for animal feed and human food. Use zoning to restrict animal access to specific areas.

Q: What’s the best way to feed animals during winter? A: Stockpile hay and kibble in advance. Consider indoor farming or hydroponics to grow food year-round.

Q: Can animals survive on nutrient paste? A: Some animals can, but it’s not ideal. Nutrient paste is better suited for colonists, while animals thrive on more natural diets.

Q: How do I manage overpopulation in my animal pens? A: Implement breeding controls, such as sterilization or separating males and females. Consider selling or culling excess animals.

Q: What should I do if my animals are starving? A: Immediately increase food production or hunting efforts. Temporarily restrict animal movement to conserve energy and reduce food consumption.