In Stardew Valley, you feed cows by giving them hay every day, either by putting hay in the feeding trough inside the barn or by letting them graze on grass outside when the weather allows. A fed, happy cow produces milk every day, so keeping them fed is the key to a steady income from milk and cheese.
What You Need to Keep Cows
- A barn: you build one from Robin’s carpenter shop. The basic barn houses a small number of animals, and upgrades hold more.
- A cow: adult cows are bought from Marnie’s ranch.
- Hay: this is the standard animal feed. You can buy it from Marnie, or harvest your own.
- A milk pail: you use it on a cow to collect milk. Some players use auto-grabbers, which collect animal products automatically.
Ways to Feed Cows
- Hay in the trough: a silo stores hay, and once you have one, hay is automatically placed in the barn’s feeding troughs. If the silo is empty, you must buy hay from Marnie.
- Grass outdoors: in good weather, cows can graze on grass on your farm if you let them out. They need grass to be present, so winter and rainy days mean hay in the barn instead.
- Cutting grass with your scythe: cutting tall grass can give you hay, which you can store in a silo. Build a silo early.
Tips for Happy Cows
- Pet your cows every day to build friendship. Higher friendship can improve milk quality.
- Make sure the barn door is closed on cold days and during storms so they stay warm and safe.
- Give them enough hay for the number of animals you keep.
- Check each cow every day, since hungry or unhappy animals can stop producing.
Common Problems
- Cow won’t produce milk: baby cows must grow up first, and any cow needs to be fed.
- Running out of hay: plant more grass, build a silo, or buy extra hay from Marnie before a long winter.
The game details here, like prices and hay amounts, can change in game updates, so check the in-game shop if a number looks different.
Real-World Cow Feeding
Real cows are not fed hay from a silo hopper, of course. If you keep real cattle, see our guides on whether cows eat straw and how to get a sick cow to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to feed my cows?
Every day. Cows need food available each day to stay happy and keep producing.
Can cows eat grass instead of hay?
Yes, if there is grass on your farm and the weather allows outdoor grazing.
Bottom Line
Build a barn and silo, keep hay stocked, pet your cows daily, and let them graze when the weather is good. That is all you need for steady milk.
