Overview
The Feeding Trough is a ranching automation station in Starsand Island that automatically feeds all animals within the enclosure where it is placed. Instead of manually feeding each animal every day, the trough distributes the correct feed to every animal in the pen as long as it remains stocked. This is one of the most important quality-of-life upgrades for mid-to-late game ranchers managing large herds.
How to Unlock
The Feeding Trough blueprint becomes available at the Intermediate Rancher tier in the Rancher profession questline. You must first complete all Apprentice Rancher tasks from Pastelle at the Green Pasture Ranch before this tier unlocks. The Intermediate Rancher tier introduces several automation tools, with the Feeding Trough being one of the most valuable.
Blueprint Cost
Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
Feeding Trough Blueprint | 5,500 coins | Pastelle's terminal at Green Pasture Ranch |
The blueprint is a one-time purchase. Once acquired, you can craft as many Feeding Troughs as your enclosures require.
Crafting and Placement
Craft the Feeding Trough at your Worktable after purchasing the blueprint. Materials typically include processed wood and metal components. Place the finished trough inside an animal enclosure using build mode.
A single Feeding Trough serves all animals within the same enclosure. If you maintain separate pens for different species (for example, chickens in one coop and sheep in another), each pen needs its own trough. The trough does not need to be positioned near specific animals; placement anywhere within the enclosure boundary is sufficient.
How It Works
The Feeding Trough has an internal storage capacity that holds a set number of feed units. Each day, the trough automatically distributes one unit of the appropriate feed to each animal in the enclosure. Animals eat from the trough at the start of the day without any player interaction.
The key difference between the Feeding Trough and the Cleaning Pod is that the trough requires periodic restocking. You must manually load feed into the trough before it runs out. When the trough is empty, animals go unfed and their mood and productivity decline until you refill it.
Feed Types by Animal
Different animals require different types of feed. You must stock the trough with the correct feed for the animals in that enclosure. If an enclosure holds mixed species, the trough draws from a shared pool and distributes the appropriate type to each animal.
Animal | Feed Type | Source |
|---|---|---|
Chicken Feed | Craft at worktable or buy from Green Pasture Ranch | |
Poultry Feed | Craft at worktable or buy from Green Pasture Ranch | |
Rabbit Feed | Craft at worktable using harvested vegetables | |
Sheep Feed | Craft at worktable using hay and grain | |
Cattle Feed | Craft at worktable using hay, grain, and supplements | |
Ostrich Feed | Craft at worktable (advanced recipe) |
Check the Animal Feed article for detailed crafting recipes and ingredient sources for each feed type.
Capacity and Restocking
The Feeding Trough holds enough feed for multiple days, depending on the number of animals in the enclosure. For a small enclosure with 3 to 4 animals, a full trough can last several in-game days before needing a refill. For larger herds of 8 to 10 animals, you may need to restock every 2 to 3 days.
To restock, interact with the trough and place the appropriate feed items into its inventory. The trough displays its current stock level, so you can check at a glance whether it needs attention.
Plan your restocking schedule around other daily tasks. A quick check every 2 to 3 days prevents animals from going hungry.
Craft feed in bulk during quiet moments. Having a reserve stockpile in a nearby chest makes restocking fast.
The trough cannot hold more than its maximum capacity. Excess feed stays in your inventory.
Comparison to Manual Feeding
Method | Daily Effort | Maintenance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Manual Feeding | Feed each animal individually every day | None (just time) | Feed items only |
Feeding Trough | Zero (automatic daily distribution) | Restock every few days | 5,500 coin blueprint + feed items |
Tips
Buy the Feeding Trough blueprint at the same time as the Cleaning Pod. Together, they eliminate the two biggest daily ranching chores.
Keep a dedicated chest near each enclosure stocked with that pen's feed type. This makes restocking a 10-second task instead of a trip back to the crafting station.
For mixed-species enclosures, the trough handles distribution automatically. You do not need separate troughs for different animal types in the same pen.
Monitor the trough's stock indicator. A blinking or empty indicator means your animals will go hungry the next day.
Pair the Feeding Trough with the Cleaning Pod and automation stations to create a nearly hands-free ranching operation.
If animals appear unhappy or unproductive, check the trough first. An empty trough is the most common cause of mood drops in automated ranches.
Craft feed in bulk on rainy days or evenings when outdoor activities are limited. Building a stockpile prevents emergency crafting sessions.