Quick facts
- Unlock
- Ranching level 45
- Seller
- Hayden’s Shop
- Price
- 5,000t
- Buildings
- Large Barn or Coop
- Placement
- Fixed platform
- Runs
- Every morning
How to unlock and set it up
- Raise Ranching to level 45.
- Buy the Auto Feeder from Hayden’s Shop for 5,000t.
- Enter a Large Barn or Large Coop.
- Place it on the dedicated platform beside the bottom-right chest.
- Add dishes, crops, or forageables.
- Sleep and check the trough the next morning.
Why you cannot place it
The most common problem is building size. The Auto Feeder does not work in a Small or Medium Barn or Coop. Upgrade the building to Large before trying again.
It is also not a free-placement decoration. Target the dedicated platform near the storage chest in the bottom-right area.
What can go inside?
The official update notes say the machine converts dishes, crops, and forageables into feed of corresponding quality, then fills the trough every morning.
The community conversion table is still incomplete, so test inexpensive inputs before loading a valuable stack.
Why the Auto Feeder is not working
The trough did not fill immediately
The daily fill happens in the morning. A machine installed during the day will not change the trough instantly. Load it, sleep, and check again.
Animals did not produce milk or eggs
The machine cannot retroactively feed animals that already missed a meal. Confirm that the trough contains enough feed after the next morning cycle, then observe the following production day.
Does it affect Shiny Beads?
Current reliable sources do not fully verify every Auto Feeder and Shiny Bead interaction. Do not assume that the machine guarantees beads, and do not assume that it blocks them. This needs direct in-game confirmation before it can be stated as fact.
Frequently asked questions
Can it go in a Medium Barn?
No. It requires a Large Barn or Large Coop.
Does it feed animals as soon as it is installed?
No. The automatic trough fill runs during the morning cycle.
Is it worth 5,000t?
It is a convenience upgrade for larger herds. It saves a daily chore but does not increase output by itself.
Sources and verification
Fact-checked August 17, 2026. Unverified conversion values and Shiny Bead claims were excluded.