Fluffy bunnies hopping around your farm bring more than just joy – they bring valuable resources in Stardew Valley! Rabbits are adorable additions to your coop and, when properly cared for, can be a significant source of income and valuable crafting materials. Understanding how to feed your rabbits is crucial to maximizing their happiness and productivity. This article provides a comprehensive guide to rabbit food in Stardew Valley, covering what they eat, how to feed them, maximizing wool production, and addressing common challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned Stardew Valley farmer or just starting your journey, this guide will help you raise healthy and happy rabbits.
What Rabbits Eat in Stardew Valley
Rabbits in Stardew Valley have a simple diet: they eat hay and grass. It’s important to understand the nuances of these two food sources to keep your bunnies happy and productive.
Hay
Hay is the primary food source for your rabbits, especially during the colder months. You can obtain hay in a couple of ways. The most common method is by scything grass on your farm. When you cut grass with a scythe, there’s a chance you’ll receive hay. However, you need to have a silo built on your farm for the hay to be collected and stored automatically. Marnie at Marnie’s Ranch also sells hay for fifty gold per piece. This is a convenient option, especially when you’re short on time or haven’t built a silo yet.
Storing hay is essential for the winter months when grass doesn’t grow. A silo can hold up to two hundred forty pieces of hay. This seems like a lot, but it can disappear quickly when feeding multiple animals throughout winter. You can access hay from the silo by interacting with the feeding hopper inside the coop.
The importance of hay during winter cannot be overstated. If your rabbits don’t have access to hay, they become unhappy, and their production of wool and rabbit’s feet will plummet. Maintaining a healthy supply of hay ensures a consistent income stream throughout the year.
Grass
During the warmer seasons (spring, summer, and fall), rabbits can eat grass outside of the coop. Allowing your rabbits to graze on grass is beneficial for their happiness. A happy rabbit is more likely to produce high-quality wool and the elusive rabbit’s foot. To allow your rabbits to eat grass, you need to open the coop door. Rabbits will then wander outside and forage for grass.
Planting grass starters is a great way to ensure a steady supply of grass for your rabbits. You can purchase grass starters from Pierre’s General Store or craft them yourself using fiber. Planting grass near the coop will encourage your rabbits to stay close by, making it easier to keep an eye on them. Keep in mind that weeds can quickly consume grass, so it is important to keep an eye out for weeds and get rid of them as soon as you see them.
The way grass consumption works in the game is quite simple. Rabbits will consume grass within a certain radius of the coop door. If there is no grass available, they will not be able to eat outside and rely solely on hay provided in the coop. A patch of healthy grass can significantly boost rabbit happiness.
No other food sources
It’s important to reiterate that rabbits in Stardew Valley *only* eat hay and grass. You cannot feed them crops, fruits, vegetables, or any other items. Attempting to do so will not have any effect. Stick to hay and grass to keep your rabbits content.
How to Feed Your Rabbits in Stardew Valley
Feeding your rabbits can be done manually or automatically, depending on the level of your coop. Understanding both methods ensures you can provide the best care for your fluffy friends.
Manual Feeding
In the early game, you’ll likely be feeding your rabbits manually. This involves taking hay from the silo and placing it in the feeding trough inside the coop. To do this, simply interact with the feeding hopper inside the coop and select the hay you want to place. Then, interact with the empty feeding troughs to deposit the hay.
Checking the trough daily is crucial, especially if you don’t have an autofeeder. If the troughs are empty, your rabbits will become unhappy, leading to decreased production. It only takes a few seconds each day to ensure your rabbits have enough to eat.
Autofeeders (Deluxe Coop)
The Deluxe Coop upgrade includes autofeeders, which automatically dispense hay from the silo into the feeding troughs. This is a huge time-saver and significantly reduces the daily maintenance required for your rabbits.
Autofeeders work by automatically pulling hay from the silo and placing it in the troughs each morning. As long as you have hay stored in your silo, the autofeeders will keep your rabbits fed.
The benefits of using autofeeders are obvious: it saves you valuable time that can be spent on other tasks around the farm. With autofeeders, you no longer need to worry about manually feeding your rabbits each day.
However, you still need to ensure there’s enough hay in the silo to keep the autofeeders running. Regularly check your hay supply and replenish it as needed to avoid any interruptions in feeding. A full silo is a happy silo, and happy rabbits mean profit.
Letting Rabbits Graze
Allowing your rabbits to graze on grass outside is another important aspect of their care. To do this, simply open the coop door. Your rabbits will then venture outside and eat grass within a certain radius of the coop.
There are several advantages to allowing rabbits to eat grass. First and foremost, it makes them happier. Happy rabbits are more likely to produce higher-quality wool and, most importantly, rabbit’s feet, which are highly sought after for completing bundles and crafting. It is also convenient, as the rabbits will not need you to use up as much hay in the feed trough. It is a great source of food.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. Weather conditions can impact whether or not your rabbits can go outside. During rainy days or winter, the rabbits will not leave the coop and will need to be fed hay. Make sure there is enough grass planted around the farm for them to forage. Make sure weeds do not overrun your grass.
Maximizing Wool and Rabbit’s Foot Production
Getting the most out of your rabbits involves more than just feeding them. Happiness and friendship play crucial roles in the quality and quantity of products they produce.
Happiness and Friendship
Friendship with your rabbits is key to maximizing their output. The higher their friendship level, the more likely they are to produce high-quality wool and rabbit’s feet.
Increasing friendship is simple: pet your rabbits daily and allow them to graze outside on grass. Consistent care and attention will quickly raise their friendship level. It will take time but it is worth the wait!
The relationship between happiness/friendship and product quality is direct. A happy, well-cared-for rabbit is much more likely to produce large quantities of wool and the rare rabbit’s foot. Ignoring their needs will result in lower-quality products and fewer rabbit’s feet.
Maintaining Consistent Food Supply
Ensuring your rabbits are always fed, both in summer and winter, is critical for consistent production. Hunger negatively impacts their happiness and product quality.
A hungry rabbit is an unhappy rabbit, and an unhappy rabbit produces less. Make sure your rabbits always have access to hay, especially during winter when grass is unavailable.
The relationship between hunger and product quality/quantity is undeniable. Rabbits that are consistently well-fed will produce more and better wool, and they’ll have a higher chance of dropping a rabbit’s foot. Neglecting their dietary needs will lead to disappointing results.
Animal Caretaker Profession (Level ten Farming)
Choosing the Animal Caretaker profession at level ten farming is a significant boost to animal product quality. This profession increases the value of all animal products, including wool and rabbit’s feet.
The benefits of this profession are substantial. The increased value of animal products will significantly boost your profits, making rabbit farming even more lucrative. The Animal Caretaker profession is a must-have for any farmer looking to maximize their animal-related income.
Common Rabbit Feeding Problems and Solutions
Even with the best intentions, rabbit farmers can encounter challenges. Here’s how to address some common problems.
Running Out of Hay
Running out of hay is a common problem, especially during winter. Preventive measures are key. Stockpiling hay throughout the warmer months is essential.
If you find yourself running out of hay, purchase some from Marnie’s Ranch. While it’s more expensive than harvesting it yourself, it’s better than letting your rabbits go hungry.
Rabbits Not Producing
If your rabbits aren’t producing wool or rabbit’s feet, troubleshoot the issue. Start by checking their hunger level. Are the feeding troughs empty? Are they happy? Make sure they have a high friendship level.
If you’ve addressed these issues and your rabbits still aren’t producing, make sure the coop door is open (during appropriate weather) so they can graze on grass. Ensure that there is no grass and weeds inside the coop. Ensure that all their needs are met.
Winter Feeding Challenges
Winter presents unique challenges for rabbit farmers. The primary challenge is ensuring you have enough hay stored to last through the entire season.
Emphasis should be placed on having a large hay stockpile before winter arrives. Plan ahead and harvest as much grass as possible during the warmer months to avoid running out. Make sure you have enough hay available!
Rabbits Not Eating Grass
If your rabbits aren’t eating grass, there could be several reasons. The most common reason is that the coop door is closed. Make sure the door is open during sunny days.
Another reason could be that there’s not enough grass available. Plant more grass starters near the coop to encourage grazing. Check that weeds are not consuming your grass. Ensure there is no rain.
Conclusion
Properly feeding your rabbits in Stardew Valley is essential for their happiness and productivity. By providing them with a consistent supply of hay and allowing them to graze on grass, you can maximize their wool and rabbit’s foot production. Remember to prioritize their happiness by petting them daily and keeping their friendship levels high. Addressing common problems, such as running out of hay, will ensure your rabbits remain healthy and content. Enjoy raising these adorable creatures and reaping the rewards of your hard work in Stardew Valley! Taking good care of your rabbits will lead to a more profitable and enjoyable farming experience.
