Why Am I Not Getting Hay From Grass in Stardew Valley?
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.
The frustration of swinging your scythe through a field of lush grass in Stardew Valley, only to receive no hay, is a common experience for many players. The core reason for this seemingly simple problem is that you need a Silo to collect hay from grass. Without this crucial farm building, your efforts at grass-cutting will yield no hay, no matter how much grass you slice down. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and how to effectively gather hay for your farm animals.
The Importance of the Silo
The Silo in Stardew Valley isn’t just another pretty farm structure; it’s a necessary prerequisite for harvesting hay from grass. The game mechanics are designed so that unless you have a Silo on your farm, the cut grass will simply vanish. This game mechanic is designed to encourage players to plan and build the necessary infrastructures before expanding their animal farming.
How the Silo Works
When you successfully cut grass with a scythe while owning a silo, the hay will automatically be stored inside. You will not see it appear in your inventory as a usable item, until it is retrieved via the hay hoppers inside your Coops and Barns. The silo is the central storage unit that bridges the gap between your grasslands and your livestock’s needs, automatically saving the hay you produce.
Building a Silo
To solve the issue of not getting hay, your very first step is to visit Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop, located north of your farm. The Silo construction requires:
- 100 Gold
- 100 Stone
- 10 Clay
- 5 Copper Bars
Once Robin starts building, the Silo will be constructed on your farm, where you can manually select its location. This is a one-time investment that will drastically improve your ability to maintain your livestock.
Collecting Hay After Building the Silo
With a Silo built, the process of collecting hay becomes straightforward:
- Use a Scythe: Equip your Scythe, which you should have received early in the game, or a Golden Scythe for even better yields.
- Cut Grass: Find areas on your farm where grass is growing and start swinging.
- Hay is Stored Automatically: The hay will now be automatically stored in your Silo, ready for your animals.
- Retrieve from Hay Hoppers: You can get the hay by interacting with the hay hoppers found inside any Coop or Barn on your farm.
The Silo stores a total of 240 hay pieces, which should be enough to get started with a small animal farm. Having multiple silos allows you to store more hay. This is crucial for preparing for the winter months when grass doesn’t grow naturally.
The Alternative: Purchasing Hay
If you’re still not ready to invest in a silo or find yourself running low, you can purchase hay from Marnie at her Ranch. Each piece of hay costs 50 gold. While purchasing hay can be helpful, it is less cost effective than harvesting hay. Buying from Marnie should be used as a supplement and not as the primary method of obtaining hay for your animals.
The Case of the Full Silo
One common reason players might think they’re not getting hay is that their Silo is full. If you are cutting grass and no hay appears, check your silo. You can do this by clicking on the front of the silo. The hay collected from grass will go to player’s inventory only if the Silo is full.
Storing in Inventory
If your Silo is full when you cut grass, the hay will automatically appear in your inventory rather than being placed inside the Silo. Ensure you are keeping track of the hay stored in both your inventory and the Silo. This hay can be added into the Silo at any point by interacting with it directly.
Key Takeaways
- A Silo is required to harvest hay from grass with a scythe in Stardew Valley.
- Hay is automatically stored in the Silo when harvested.
- You can get stored hay from the hoppers inside Coops and Barns.
- Hay can be purchased from Marnie but is less efficient than harvesting.
- Check if your Silo is full; otherwise, the hay will be stored in your inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I get hay from grass without a Silo?
No, you cannot get hay from grass with a scythe unless you have a Silo on your farm. If you don’t, the grass will simply disappear.
2. How much hay does a Silo hold?
Each Silo can store up to 240 pieces of hay. If you have multiple silos, the capacity is combined.
3. Where does hay go when the Silo is full?
If your Silo is full when you cut grass, the hay will be stored directly into your player’s inventory.
4. How do I retrieve hay from the Silo?
Hay is retrieved by interacting with the hay hoppers inside your Coops and Barns. Right click to dispense hay.
5. Why can’t I take hay out of the Silo?
You can’t remove hay from the hopper if there’s no empty space on the feeding bench inside the coop or barn. If you still want to empty the hopper, use a cherry bomb to destroy the hay in the bench.
6. Does the Silo automatically feed my animals?
No, you need to interact with the hay hopper to retrieve hay and place it on the feeding bench manually. However, an upgraded deluxe coop and barn feature an auto-feed system.
7. Does the Silo need to be near my Coops and Barns?
No, the Silos do not have to be nearby; as long as it is on your farm, it will be connected to your buildings.
8. How do I get hay without Marnie?
You can get hay by cutting grass with a scythe or harvesting wheat with a scythe once you have a silo, or from cutting wheat or grass without a silo, but at a 50% chance (grass) or 40% (wheat).
9. Can I get more than one Silo?
Yes, you can build multiple Silos on your farm to increase your hay storage capacity.
10. Do chickens only eat hay?
Yes, chickens primarily eat hay. When they are babies, they do not eat, but they need to be fed hay to grow into adult hens, who can then produce eggs.
11. How much hay do I need for the winter?
Each animal needs about 26 pieces of hay for the entire winter. For example, 40 animals would need 1040 pieces of hay.
12. What is the Golden Scythe and how does it help?
The Golden Scythe can be found in the Quarry. It is 75% more effective at producing hay from grass, so it is a very efficient tool.
13. Can I put hay back into the Silo?
Yes, you can put hay from your inventory back into the Silo by interacting directly with the Silo.
14. How do I feed my animals without hay?
Let your animals outside to graze on grass or upgrade buildings to include an auto-feed system for hay.
15. Can I turn fiber into hay?
Not directly, but you can craft grass starters from fiber. Let the grass grow, then cut it with a scythe for hay.
Understanding how the Silo and hay harvesting system works is fundamental to succeeding in Stardew Valley. By following the steps and tips outlined in this guide, you’ll have no problem making sure your animals are fed and happy throughout the game.