How to Keep Chickens in Stardew Valley: The Ultimate Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re ready to raise some clucking companions on your Stardew Valley farm? Excellent choice! Chickens are a fantastic early-game investment, providing a steady supply of eggs that can be used for cooking, gifting, or, most importantly, processed into mayonnaise for serious profit. But keeping your feathered friends happy and productive requires a bit of knowledge. In short, keeping chickens happy in Stardew Valley involves providing them with adequate food, a safe and comfortable shelter (the coop), and letting them roam outside when the weather permits.
Building a Coop and Acquiring Your First Chickens
Before you can even think about keeping chickens, you’ll need a coop. Head over to Robin’s carpentry shop and commission her to build one. The base coop is relatively inexpensive and doesn’t take too long to construct. Once it’s finished, you can purchase your first chickens from Marnie at her ranch. She sells various colors of chickens, each costing 800 gold.
Essential Chicken Care: Food, Shelter, and Happiness
-
Feeding Your Chickens: Chickens need to eat every day to lay eggs. The primary food source is hay, which can be bought from Marnie for 50 gold per piece or harvested from your own farm by cutting grass with a scythe. Once harvested the grass will automatically be turned into hay when you have a silo. Simply place the hay on the feeding bench inside the coop. Once you upgrade to the Deluxe Coop, an automatic feeder is added, drawing hay from the silo automatically.
-
Letting Chickens Roam: On sunny days (spring, summer, and fall), open the coop door and let your chickens roam outside to eat grass. Eating grass makes them happier than eating hay, leading to higher-quality eggs. Be mindful of rainy days, since Chickens do not like Rain.
-
The Importance of the Coop: The coop provides shelter and a safe place for your chickens to sleep at night. It also contains the incubator, which allows you to hatch new chicks. Keep the coop door closed at night to prevent wild animals from entering.
-
Petting Your Chickens: A little affection goes a long way! Pet your chickens daily to increase their happiness. Happier chickens produce better eggs.
-
Heating in Winter: Winter is harsh for your feathered friends. Since they can’t go outside, they’ll rely solely on hay. A heater is crucial for keeping them warm and happy during the cold months, which is purchased from Marnie.
-
Upgrading Your Coop: Upgrading your coop unlocks significant benefits. The first upgrade adds an incubator, allowing you to hatch eggs. The second upgrade adds the automatic feeder, which saves time and effort. Upgraded coops also increase the maximum number of chickens you can house.
Making Money with Chickens: Eggs and Mayonnaise
Chickens are a valuable source of income.
-
Selling Eggs: You can sell eggs directly, but they fetch a low price.
-
Mayonnaise Production: Invest in a Mayonnaise Machine. Processing eggs into mayonnaise significantly increases their value. Higher-quality eggs produce higher-quality mayonnaise, resulting in even greater profits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Stardew Valley Chickens
Do you need to feed chickens if you let them out in Stardew Valley?
Yes, even if you let your chickens roam outside, you need to ensure they have access to hay inside the coop. Chickens will eat grass outside on sunny days, which boosts their happiness. Hay is still necessary, especially during rainy days or when grass is scarce.
Does the silo automatically feed chickens?
Not directly. The silo stores hay. However, after you upgrade your coop to the Deluxe Coop, an automatic feeder will appear, drawing hay from the silo automatically. Therefore, you need both a silo and a Deluxe Coop to have fully automated chicken feeding.
Will my chickens leave my farm in Stardew Valley?
No, your chickens will never leave your farm. If you let them out, they will roam around your farm area but will automatically return to the coop around 5 PM each day.
Do chickens need a fence in Stardew Valley?
Fences aren’t strictly necessary, but they can be helpful. Fences can help contain your chickens, preventing them from wandering into your crops or other areas of your farm. This can be useful for organization and preventing them from getting in your way.
Is it okay to let chickens roam in Stardew Valley?
Yes! In fact, it’s highly recommended. Letting your chickens roam and eat fresh grass makes them much happier, resulting in higher-quality eggs. Just make sure to open the coop door and supervise them to ensure they don’t wander too far.
What do I do if my chickens escaped in Stardew Valley? How do I get them back in, please?
Don’t panic! Chickens are programmed to return to the coop around 5 PM each day. Simply wait until evening and close the coop door after they’ve all gone inside.
What do I do if my chicken gets out in Stardew Valley?
Same as above! If a chicken wanders outside of a fenced area (if you have one), it will still return to the coop on its own at around 5 PM. Just be sure to close the coop door at night.
Are chickens worth it in Stardew Valley?
Absolutely! Chickens are a great source of income, especially in the early game. The combination of egg production and mayonnaise processing can generate a significant profit. Plus, eggs are used in many recipes.
How many silos should I have in Stardew Valley?
The number of silos depends on the number of animals you have and how much you want to avoid buying hay. One silo holds enough hay to feed 9 animals for the entire winter. Calculate your needs based on your farm layout. Three silos can comfortably feed all animals in a fully upgraded barn and coop.
Should I let my chickens out in winter in Stardew Valley?
No. It is too cold and it will negatively impact the chicken. During the winter, your chickens won’t go outside. Keep them warm inside with hay and a heater.
How do I get my Stardew chickens back in the coop?
As mentioned earlier, chickens automatically return to the coop around 5 PM. Simply wait until evening and close the coop door after they’ve all returned.
Will chickens eat your garden in Stardew Valley?
No, chickens will not eat your crops. You only need to worry about crows eating your crops. Use scarecrows to protect your garden from these avian pests.
Do I need to close my chicken coop at night in Stardew Valley?
While technically you can leave the coop door open, it’s best to close it. This protects your chickens from potential nighttime events.
How do you keep chickens happy in winter in Stardew Valley?
The key is to ensure they have plenty of hay and a heater inside the coop. Pet them daily to maintain their happiness levels.
What do blue chickens do in Stardew Valley?
Blue chickens are unlocked after reaching the 8-heart event with Shane. They produce the same white eggs as regular white chickens. They are mainly for aesthetic purposes and bragging rights!
Why are my chickens always angry in Stardew?
Angry chickens indicate that you aren’t meeting their needs. Ensure they are petted daily, fed regularly, let outside on sunny days, and kept warm with a heater during winter.
Do you have to marry Shane to get blue chickens?
No. You just need to reach the 8-heart event. Marrying Shane is not a requirement. After that event, you can purchase them from Marnie for 800 Gold.
Will farm animals eat your crops in Stardew Valley?
Animals in Stardew Valley will not eat crops. If your animals eat fresh grass, they receive the “very happy today!” mood boost.
What is the box next to the house in Stardew Valley?
The shipping box is used for selling items. Any items placed in the box will be sold overnight and the gold is received the next day.
What is the weird capsule on the farm Stardew Valley?
A strange capsule has the chance to randomly appear after the first year of the game. After the capsule breaks it will release a secret creature.
Can cows and chickens roam together Stardew?
Yes, any animal can roam together on the farm without issues or impact on the animals.
Is it okay to leave barn open Stardew?
You can leave the barn open during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. During the Winter you should keep it shut so the animals will not go outside.
What color are blue chicken eggs Stardew Valley?
Despite their unique plumage, blue chickens lay regular white eggs.
Conclusion: Mastering Chicken Husbandry in Stardew Valley
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master chicken farmer in Stardew Valley. Remember to prioritize their needs, keep them happy, and watch your profits soar! You can continue to learn more about games and learning on the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy farming!