Dwarf Fortress: A Guide to Feeding Animals

Feeding animals in Dwarf Fortress can be a daunting task for the uninitiated. The game’s complexity can make it difficult to know where to start or what to do. However, taking care of your animals is crucial to your fortress’s success, as they provide crucial resources such as food, wool, and milk. This guide will walk you through the basics of feeding your animals and answer some frequently asked questions about the process.

The Basics of Feeding Your Animals

The first thing you need to do when starting a game of Dwarf Fortress is to select some animals to keep. You can find animals in the “animals” tab in the embark screen. Choose the ones that suit your needs – whether it is for fighting, transportation, or resources. Some common choices are dogs, cats, cows, and sheep. Once you have selected your animals, you need to make sure they have enough to eat, so they remain healthy and productive.

Build a Pasture

To keep your animals fed, you must create a pasture where they can graze freely. You can create a pasture by going to the “zones” menu and selecting “pasture.” Draw the area where you want your animals to graze. Make sure the pasture is large enough for all your animals, and there is plenty of grass or other vegetation available. You should also make sure the pasture is enclosed to prevent predators from attacking your animals.

Provide Food and Water

While animals can graze in pastures, they also need other sources of food and water. You can feed your animals crops, hay, or seeds. To do this, you need to create a stockpile of food near the pasture. To make a food stockpile, go to the “Stockpiles” menu and select “food.” Draw the area where you want your stockpile to be, and your dwarves will start moving the food there.

In addition to food, animals also need water to survive. You can dig a well or create a pond near the pasture. Make sure the water source is clean, accessible, and deep enough for your animals to drink.

Assign a Farmer to Manage the Pasture

To make sure your animals are well-fed and taken care of, you can assign a farmer to manage the pasture. To do this, go to the “Nobles” menu and select “Create a New Manager.” Choose a dwarf with farming skills and assign them to manage the pasture. They will make sure that the animals have enough food and water and will remove any dead animals or animal remains from the pasture.

FAQs About Feeding Animals in Dwarf Fortress

Here are some frequently asked questions about feeding animals in Dwarf Fortress, along with their answers.

Q: Can you breed animals in Dwarf Fortress?

Yes, you can breed animals in Dwarf Fortress. To do this, you need to make sure you have male and female animals of the same species, and they are not related. Place them in a pasture together and wait for them to breed. Once the female animal gives birth, the new animal will be added to your population.

Q: How do you slaughter animals in Dwarf Fortress?

To slaughter animals in Dwarf Fortress, you need to have a butcher’s shop. The butcher’s shop is under the “Crafts” menu. Once you have built the butcher’s shop, you need to assign a butcher to work in it. They will kill and butcher the animals. You can also slaughter animals directly by selecting them and pressing “q,” then selecting the “slaughter” command.

Q: What is the best food to feed my animals?

There is no single “best” food to feed your animals in Dwarf Fortress. Different animals prefer different foods. For example, cows like to eat grass and hay, while pigs like to eat plants and animal remains. Experiment with different foods and see which ones your animals prefer.

Q: Can animals die of starvation?

Yes, animals can die of starvation in Dwarf Fortress if they do not have enough food. Make sure you have enough food stockpiled near the pasture and that your animals have access to fresh water.

Q: How do you milk animals in Dwarf Fortress?

To milk animals in Dwarf Fortress, you need to have a milking animal of the right species, such as cows or goats. You also need to have a milkery, which is under the “Crafts” menu. Once you have built the milkery, assign a dwarf to work there. They will milk the animals and collect the milk, which you can use to make cheese or other dairy products.

Conclusion

Feeding animals in Dwarf Fortress can be challenging, but it is an essential part of running a successful fortress. Make sure you have enough food and water for your animals, and assign a farmer to manage their pasture. With these tips in mind, you can keep your animals happy, healthy, and productive.

Sources

– Dwarf Fortress Wiki (