How to farm chickens in Rust the Crafting Update

     Raising chicken in Rust is now a reality with The Crafting Update, bringing a new farming mechanic. No longer do you have to chase wild chickens for meat with a bow or gun—no more taking down poor Foghorn Leghorn lookalikes—now you can raise your own flock, collect eggs, and even pet your birds to keep them happy.

 

 

 

Build a chicken coop

 

     Before starting your chicken farm, craft a Chicken Coop after unlocking it at Tier 1 Workbench. This new deployable structure serves as a home for your chickens, allowing you to hatch eggs and collect them for cooking. Crafting a Chicken Coop requires:

 

     - 200 Wood

 

     - Workbench Level 1

 

 

     Once placed, the coop can house up to four chickens. Chicken requires food, water, and care to thrive, so make sure you set up a safe and accessible location for your farm.

 

 

 

Hatch eggs

 

     To start your farm, you’ll need eggs. These can be found by chasing wild chickens or trading with other players. Once you have an egg, place it inside the Chicken Coop and press the ‘Hatch’ button. It takes 120 seconds for an egg to hatch into a baby chicken, which will start with random stats for food, water, and happiness.

 

 

     Each chicken has its hunger, thirst, and love stats, which determine its productivity. A well-fed and happy chicken lays more eggs, while a neglected one can stop producing.

 

 

Feed and care for chickens

 

     Chickens eat various foods, including apples, potatoes, corn, pumpkins, wheat, and berries. Grubs and worms are also great choices because they stack in large amounts. Chickens also require water, which can be transferred into the coop using a water container. Keep their food and water levels full for maximum egg production.

 

 

     Another important aspect of chicken care is petting. Every few in-game days, you can interact with your chickens by pressing ‘E’ to pet them, which increases their love stat. This makes them happier and results in better egg production.

 

 

 

Stats and happiness

 

     Each chicken has a demeanor that reflects its overall well-being. A happy chicken lays eggs regularly and even heals itself over time. A neutral chicken may lay fewer eggs and stop healing, while an unhappy chicken is at risk of death and will stop producing eggs entirely. Managing food, water, and love is key to maintaining a thriving flock.

 

 

     Sunlight also plays a role in chicken happiness. Chickens prefer fresh air and natural light, so keeping your coop outside improves their stats. While chickens can survive in caves or enclosed spaces, their sunlight levels will slowly drop, making them less productive.

 

 

Egg production

 

     Eggs are one of the most valuable resources from chicken farming. They can be consumed directly for a small food boost or used in advanced cooking recipes at the Cooking Workbench. Many high-tier foods, like pies and bread, require eggs, making them a valuable trade item.

 

     Eggs can also be used to improve horse farming by increasing fertilizer production.

 

     Farming chickens in Rust is more than a novelty; it’s a reliable way to produce food, trade valuable resources, and contribute to the new cooking system. Set up your coop, keep your birds happy, and enjoy the benefits of chicken farming in Rust.