To feed chickens in Stardew Valley without a silo, simply place hay directly in their coop or scatter it on the ground for them to eat.
Keeping chickens happy and fed in Stardew Valley is essential for egg production, but what if you don’t have a silo? Many players struggle with this early-game challenge. This guide reveals all the ways to feed your flock without relying on stored hay.
Manual Hay Feeding Without a Silo
You can feed chickens without a silo by placing hay directly in their coop. Here’s how:
- Purchase hay from Marnie’s Ranch (50g each)
- Place hay on the feeding bench inside the coop
- Each chicken eats one hay per day
This method works but becomes expensive with multiple chickens. It’s best used as a temporary solution until you can build a silo.
Cost Comparison
| Method | Cost per Chicken per Season |
|---|---|
| Buying from Marnie | 1,400g |
| Silo with grass cutting | Free (after initial silo cost) |
Free-Range Grazing Alternative
Chickens can eat grass directly from your farm:
- Open the coop door each morning
- Ensure grass grows near the coop
- Chickens will graze instead of eating hay
This method has limitations. As noted in our guide on how to stop chickens from pecking, hungry chickens may become aggressive. Also, grass doesn’t grow in winter.
Grass Management Tips
- Plant grass starters (cost 100g each from Pierre’s)
- Place objects like fences on grass patches to prevent eating
- Let grass spread naturally during spring, summer and fall
Winter Feeding Solutions
Winter presents special challenges since grass doesn’t grow. Options include:
- Stockpile hay before winter (cut grass on last fall day)
- Use the chest trick: Store extra hay in a chest near your silo
- Upgrade to deluxe coop for auto-feeding
As mentioned in our article about chicken care during absences, proper feeding is crucial for maintaining animal happiness.
Long-Term Solutions
Building a Silo
While not required, silos make feeding much easier:
- Costs 100g, 100 stone, 10 clay, and 5 copper bars
- Holds 240 hay
- Automatically converts cut grass to hay
Wheat Farming
Grow wheat in summer and fall:
- Chance to drop hay when harvested
- Process wheat in mill for additional profit
- Works with speed-gro for faster cycles
Animal Happiness Considerations
Unfed chickens will:
- Produce lower quality eggs
- Stop producing if unfed multiple days
- Show unhappy mood when clicked
According to Stardew Valley Wiki, happy animals produce higher quality products and have a chance to produce multiple items.
Advanced Tips
- Upgrade to deluxe coop for auto-feeding system
- Plant grass starters on winter 28 for explosive spring growth
- Use fence posts to protect grass patches from being eaten
- Consider multiple silos for large flocks
For more chicken care tips, check out the official wiki which covers all aspects of chicken husbandry in the game.