How do I set up tribe-owned feeding troughs for large groups of dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Setting up tribe-owned feeding troughs for large groups of dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved is a crucial aspect of tribe management, especially when dealing with a significant number of tamed creatures. Feeding troughs allow you to automate the feeding process, ensuring that your dinosaurs remain healthy and well-fed without requiring constant manual intervention. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to set up and manage tribe-owned feeding troughs effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of feeding troughs. Feeding troughs are structures that store food and distribute it to nearby tamed creatures within a certain radius. When placed correctly, they can feed multiple dinosaurs simultaneously, saving you time and effort. The feeding troughÔÇÖs range is approximately 18 foundations in all directions, so positioning is key to maximizing its effectiveness. The trough can hold a variety of food types, including raw meat, cooked meat, berries, and vegetables, depending on the dietary needs of your dinosaurs.

To set up a tribe-owned feeding trough, start by gathering the necessary resources. You will need 50 wood, 15 fiber, and 25 thatch to craft a single feeding trough. These materials are relatively easy to obtain early in the game, making feeding troughs accessible even for new tribes. Once you have the resources, craft the trough at a crafting station or directly from your inventory if you have the required engrams.

Next, choose a strategic location for your feeding trough. Ideally, it should be placed in a central area within your base or near your dinosaur pens. Ensure that the trough is within range of all the dinosaurs you want to feed. If you have a large number of dinosaurs spread across a wide area, you may need to place multiple troughs to cover the entire space. Overlapping the ranges of multiple troughs can help ensure that no dinosaur is left unfed.

After placing the feeding trough, fill it with the appropriate food. Different dinosaurs have different dietary requirements, so make sure to stock the trough with the right types of food. For example, carnivorous dinosaurs like the Rex or Carnotaurus will need raw or cooked meat, while herbivores like the Triceratops or Brontosaurus will require berries or vegetables. ItÔÇÖs a good idea to keep a variety of food types in the trough to accommodate all your dinosaurs.

One important tip is to regularly check and refill the feeding trough. While the trough can hold a significant amount of food, it will eventually run out, especially if you have a large number of dinosaurs. Assigning a tribe member to monitor and refill the troughs can help prevent your dinosaurs from starving. Additionally, consider using preserving bins or refrigerators to store large quantities of food nearby, making it easier to restock the troughs as needed.

A common mistake to avoid is placing the feeding trough too far from your dinosaurs. If the trough is out of range, your dinosaurs will not receive any food, leading to starvation and potential loss of tamed creatures. Always double-check the troughÔÇÖs range and adjust its position if necessary. Another mistake is neglecting to fill the trough with the correct food types. Dinosaurs will only eat the food they require, so stocking the trough with the wrong type of food will render it useless.

For advanced optimization, consider using multiple feeding troughs with overlapping ranges to create a more efficient feeding system. This setup ensures that even if one trough runs out of food, the others can still provide for your dinosaurs. Additionally, you can use tek troughs, which are advanced versions of the standard feeding trough. Tek troughs have a larger range and can hold more food, making them ideal for large-scale dinosaur management. However, they require tekgrams and advanced resources to craft, so they are more suitable for late-game tribes.

Resource management is crucial when setting up feeding troughs. Ensure that your tribe has a steady supply of food to keep the troughs stocked. This may involve setting up farming plots for berries and vegetables, or hunting for meat to feed carnivorous dinosaurs. Efficient resource gathering and storage will help maintain a consistent food supply for your troughs.

In terms of tribe considerations, feeding troughs are tribe-owned by default, meaning all tribe members can access and manage them. This allows for collaborative effort in maintaining the troughs and ensuring that all dinosaurs are fed. However, itÔÇÖs important to establish clear roles and responsibilities within the tribe to avoid confusion or neglect. Assigning specific members to monitor and refill the troughs can help streamline the process and prevent oversights.

For solo players, the process is similar, but you will need to manage everything on your own. Prioritize setting up feeding troughs early to reduce the time spent manually feeding your dinosaurs. Focus on gathering and storing food efficiently to keep the troughs stocked, and consider using multiple troughs to cover a larger area.

In specific scenarios, such as during a raid or when traveling with a large group of dinosaurs, portable feeding troughs can be useful. These can be placed temporarily to feed your dinosaurs while on the move. However, they have a smaller range and capacity compared to standard troughs, so they are best used as a temporary solution.

In conclusion, setting up tribe-owned feeding troughs in ARK: Survival Evolved involves careful planning, resource management, and strategic placement. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and optimizing your setup, you can ensure that your dinosaurs remain well-fed and healthy, allowing your tribe to thrive in the gameÔÇÖs challenging environment.