How to Feed Animals in RimWorld: A Comprehensive Guide and the Curious Case of the Carnivorous Cow

Feeding animals in RimWorld is a crucial aspect of managing your colony effectively. Whether you’re raising livestock for food, training animals for combat, or simply keeping pets for companionship, understanding how to feed them properly can make or break your colony’s survival. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies for feeding animals in RimWorld, delve into the intricacies of animal diets, and even touch on some bizarre scenarios that might arise in your colony.

Understanding Animal Diets

Before diving into feeding strategies, it’s essential to understand the dietary needs of different animals in RimWorld. Animals in the game can be broadly categorized into three groups based on their diets:

1. Herbivores: These animals primarily consume plant-based foods. Examples include deer, muffalo, and alpacas.
2. Omnivores: These animals can eat both plant-based and meat-based foods. Examples include pigs, rats, and humans (yes, humans are considered animals in RimWorld).
3. Carnivores: These animals require a meat-based diet. Examples include wolves, cougars, and wargs.

Understanding these categories is crucial because it dictates what kind of food you need to provide for your animals. Feeding a carnivore a diet of hay will lead to malnutrition, while feeding a herbivore meat will result in the same issue.

Feeding Strategies

1. Grazing

Grazing is the most natural way to feed herbivorous animals. In RimWorld, you can designate areas of your map as “grazing zones” where animals can freely roam and eat the grass and plants that grow there. This method is highly efficient as it requires minimal input from your colonists. However, it’s essential to ensure that the grazing area is large enough to sustain your animals, especially during winter when grass growth is limited.

Pros:

• Low maintenance.
• No need to store or manage food.
• Animals can graze year-round in temperate biomes.

Cons:

• Limited by the size of the grazing area.
• Grass may not grow fast enough to sustain large herds.
• Ineffective in biomes with little vegetation or during winter.

2. Growing Hay

For colonies with limited grazing areas or those in biomes with harsh winters, growing hay is an excellent alternative. Hay is a plant that can be grown in fields and harvested to provide a steady supply of food for herbivorous animals. You can store hay in barns or designated storage areas, ensuring that your animals have food even when grazing isn’t possible.

Pros:

• Provides a reliable food source year-round.
• Can be stored in large quantities.
• Suitable for all herbivorous animals.

Cons:

• Requires colonists to plant, harvest, and store hay.
• Takes up valuable growing space that could be used for human food.
• Hay can spoil if not stored properly.

3. Feeding Kibble

Kibble is a versatile food item that can be fed to both herbivorous and omnivorous animals. It’s made by combining plant-based ingredients (like hay or vegetables) with meat or insect meat. Kibble is an excellent option for colonies that have a surplus of both plant and animal resources.

Pros:

• Can be fed to a wide variety of animals.
• Long shelf life, reducing the risk of spoilage.
• Efficient use of surplus resources.

Cons:

• Requires both plant and animal ingredients.
• Time-consuming to produce in large quantities.
• Not suitable for carnivorous animals.

4. Feeding Raw Meat

Carnivorous animals require a diet of raw meat. You can provide this by hunting wild animals, slaughtering your livestock, or using insect meat from infestations. Raw meat can be stored in freezers to prevent spoilage, ensuring that your carnivorous animals have a steady supply of food.

Pros:

• Essential for carnivorous animals.
• Can be obtained through hunting or slaughtering.
• Can be stored in freezers for long periods.

Cons:

• Requires a steady supply of meat.
• Spoils quickly if not refrigerated.
• Hunting can be dangerous for your colonists.

5. Feeding Human Corpses

In desperate situations, you might consider feeding human corpses to your animals. While this is a controversial and morally questionable practice, it can be an effective way to dispose of dead colonists or raiders while providing food for your carnivorous animals. However, be aware that this practice can have negative effects on your colonists’ mood, especially if they witness it.

Pros:

• Efficient way to dispose of corpses.
• Provides a source of meat for carnivorous animals.

Cons:

• Morally questionable and can negatively impact colonists’ mood.
• Not suitable for herbivorous or omnivorous animals.
• Risk of disease if corpses are not handled properly.

Special Considerations

1. Winter Feeding

Winter can be a challenging time for feeding animals, especially in biomes with harsh winters where grass doesn’t grow. During this time, it’s crucial to have a stockpile of hay, kibble, or other stored food to ensure your animals don’t starve. Consider building a barn or enclosed area where you can store food and keep your animals warm.

2. Animal Reproduction

If you’re breeding animals, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough food to sustain both the adults and their offspring. Overpopulation can quickly lead to food shortages, so it’s essential to manage your animal population carefully. Consider culling older or less productive animals to free up resources for younger ones.

3. Training Animals

If you’re training animals for combat or hauling, you’ll need to ensure they’re well-fed to maintain their loyalty and performance. Hungry animals are more likely to go wild or refuse to follow commands, so keeping them fed is essential for maintaining a well-trained animal workforce.

4. The Curious Case of the Carnivorous Cow

In RimWorld, you might encounter some bizarre scenarios, such as a cow that suddenly develops a taste for meat. While this is highly unusual and not something that happens in the game, it raises an interesting question: What would you do if one of your herbivorous animals started eating meat? Would you accommodate its new diet, or would you cull it to prevent it from disrupting your food supply? This hypothetical scenario highlights the importance of being adaptable and prepared for the unexpected in RimWorld.

Conclusion

Feeding animals in RimWorld is a complex but rewarding aspect of colony management. By understanding the dietary needs of different animals and implementing effective feeding strategies, you can ensure that your animals remain healthy and productive. Whether you’re relying on grazing, growing hay, or producing kibble, the key is to plan ahead and be prepared for the challenges that come with managing a diverse animal population.

Related Q&A

Q: Can I feed my animals human food like meals or pemmican? A: Yes, you can feed animals human food, but it’s generally not recommended as it’s more efficient to reserve human food for your colonists. Animals can survive on simpler diets like hay or kibble.

Q: What happens if I don’t feed my animals? A: If animals are not fed, they will eventually starve, leading to malnutrition and death. Starving animals may also go wild and attack your colonists or other animals.

Q: Can I feed my animals insect meat? A: Yes, insect meat can be used to make kibble or fed directly to carnivorous animals. However, be cautious as insect meat can carry diseases if not handled properly.

Q: How do I prevent my animals from eating my crops? A: You can create restricted zones to keep animals away from your crops. Alternatively, you can grow hay specifically for your animals to prevent them from eating your human food crops.

Q: Can I feed my animals corpses? A: Yes, carnivorous animals can eat corpses, but this practice can have negative effects on your colonists’ mood. It’s generally better to use corpses for other purposes, such as cremation or butchering for meat and leather.

By following these guidelines and adapting to the unique challenges of your colony, you can ensure that your animals are well-fed and contribute to the overall success of your RimWorld settlement.