How do I set up tribe-owned feeding troughs for carnivores and herbivores in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Setting up tribe-owned feeding troughs for carnivores and herbivores in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential part of managing a tribe efficiently. Feeding troughs allow you to store food for your tamed creatures, ensuring they remain fed and healthy without requiring constant manual feeding. This is especially useful for large tribes with many dinosaurs, as it saves time and resources. Below is a detailed guide on how to set up and optimize tribe-owned feeding troughs.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of feeding troughs. Feeding troughs are structures that automatically distribute food to nearby tamed creatures within a certain radius. They can hold both meat for carnivores and berries or vegetables for herbivores. The troughÔÇÖs range is approximately 18 foundations in all directions, so placing them strategically is key to covering your entire base. Tribe-owned feeding troughs can be accessed and filled by any tribe member, making them a shared resource that benefits the entire tribe.

To set up a feeding trough, you will need to craft it at a Smithy or Fabricator. The materials required are 75 wood, 50 fiber, 35 thatch, and 15 metal ingots. Once crafted, place the trough in a central location within your base or near your dinosaur pens. Ensure it is within range of all the creatures you want to feed. After placing the trough, fill it with the appropriate food. For carnivores, this means raw or cooked meat, prime meat, or fish meat. For herbivores, use berries like Mejoberries, Amarberries, or vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

One important tip is to separate carnivore and herbivore feeding troughs if you have both types of dinosaurs. This prevents herbivores from eating meat and carnivores from eating berries, which can lead to inefficient feeding. You can also label the troughs to avoid confusion among tribe members. Additionally, consider placing multiple troughs in large bases to ensure all creatures are covered, especially if your base spans a wide area.

A common mistake is placing feeding troughs too far from your dinosaurs, leaving some creatures unfed. Always double-check the range by walking around your base and ensuring all tamed creatures are within the troughÔÇÖs radius. Another mistake is forgetting to refill the troughs regularly. While feeding troughs reduce the need for constant manual feeding, they still require maintenance. Assign a tribe member to check and refill the troughs periodically, or set up a system where multiple members share this responsibility.

For advanced optimization, consider using refrigerated feeding troughs. These require electricity and a generator but significantly slow down food spoilage, reducing the frequency of refills. This is especially useful for tribes with many dinosaurs or those playing on servers with faster spoilage rates. To set up a refrigerated trough, place it near a powered generator and connect it with electrical cables. Fill it with the same types of food as a regular trough, but enjoy the extended spoilage timer.

Resource management is crucial when setting up feeding troughs. Ensure your tribe has a steady supply of meat and berries by assigning members to gather these resources regularly. For meat, consider taming creatures like the Carnotaurus or Rex for efficient hunting. For berries, use a Trike, Stego, or Brontosaurus to gather large quantities quickly. Stockpile these resources in tribe-owned storage boxes near the troughs for easy access.

In solo play, feeding troughs are still useful but require more personal effort to maintain. You may need to prioritize which dinosaurs to keep fed if resources are limited. Focus on high-value creatures like farming dinosaurs or combat mounts. In a tribe, coordination is key. Assign roles to tribe members, such as hunters for meat gatherers and farmers for berry collection, to ensure the troughs are always stocked.

A specific example of effective trough placement is in a large base with multiple dinosaur pens. Place one feeding trough near the herbivore pen filled with berries and another near the carnivore pen filled with meat. If your base is spread out, consider adding additional troughs in central areas to cover all creatures. For tribes with alliances, you can even set up shared feeding areas near alliance borders to support allied dinosaurs during joint operations.

In conclusion, setting up tribe-owned feeding troughs in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward but vital task for efficient tribe management. By understanding the mechanics, placing troughs strategically, and coordinating resource gathering, you can ensure your dinosaurs remain healthy and your tribe thrives. Avoid common mistakes like poor placement or neglecting refills, and consider advanced techniques like refrigerated troughs for long-term efficiency. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, feeding troughs are a game-changer for managing your tamed creatures.