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Hayis an essential resource inStardew Valleyand is required to feed animals. The greater the number of animals, the more hay will be needed for upkeep. While getting hay may seem easier said than done, there are a couple of ways to get some easily.
Players have multiple options to get hay inStardew Valley, some easier than others. However, this guide will outline all available options and provide other useful tidbits for players to maximize their game.
Updated June 08, 2025, by Usama Ali:Hay is incredibly important in Stardew Valley as it is the primary food source for your farm animals that live in coops and barns. If these animals aren’t fed, they won’t produce any goods. Any Stardew Valley farmer who wants to raise healthy, happy, and productive animals, especially when preparing for the harsh winter months, needs to have a consistent supply of hay. We’ve updated this guide with all the new ways to get hay that were introduced in the Stardew Valley Update 1.6.
How to Get Hay in Stardew Valley – Solutions
Players that want to get hay inStardew Valleycan opt for any one or a combination of the following options:
Build a Silo
Players that plan to have a lot of livestock on their farm should opt for this solution first and foremost. Building a silo will allow players to start harvesting hay instead of purchasing it from Marnie.
To build a silo, follow these steps:
100g, 10 Clay, 100 Stone, and 5 Copper Bar is required to construct a silo.
Robin will take two days to construct the silo, which will be able to store 240 hay.
After players have built a silo, they can use a scythe to cut the grass and make it into hay. If a silo is not built, cutting the grass will not produce hay.
It is worth noting players should build a silo before they even startconstruction on barns for the animals. This strategy will allow players to stock up on hay before needing it. Players that build barns and buy a lot of livestock without stocking up on hay will end up with starving animals.
Harvest Grass or Wheat for Hay
Players can purchase grass or wheat from Pierre to plant it and harvest it for hay using a scythe. Apart from solving the hay problem, planting grass or wheat allows the animals to graze, negating the need to harvest it in the first place.
To harvest grass or wheat for hay, follow these steps:
Use the scythe to harvest hay, as using any other weapon will cut the grass without providing hay.
Purchase Hay from Marnie
Players that are falling short on hay canpurchase it from Marnie. Each piece of hay will cost 50g and can be bought from Marnie’s Ranch located south of the player’s farm in Cindersap forest.
To purchase hay from Marnie, follow these steps:
Purchasing hay from Marnie is the easiest way to get about the valuable commodity, but the cost can quickly stack up significantly during the early game when money is scarce. For this reason, players should harvest hay instead by building a silo and cutting grass.
Starting in Year 2, you can purchase the Animal Catalogue from Marnie’s shop for 5,000g. Reading thisPower bookfor the first time gives you the ability to access Marnie’s shop even when she isn’t behind the counter. As long as you can enter her building, you’ll be able to make purchases.
Desert Festival
The Desert Festival, which takes place on Spring 15th, 16th, and 17th, has its own unique currency calledCalico Eggs. You earn these eggs by participating in the various activities and challenges offered at the festival. You then spend these Calico Eggs at the different shops and stalls present.
Marnie often sets up a stall at the Desert Festival on one of the days andsells Hay for 1 Calico Egg.This is a convenient way to stock up, especially if you’re in the middle of spring and need more hay before your grass fully regrows.
Meadowlands Farm
TheMeadowlands Farmis one of the farm map options players can choose when starting a new game inStardew Valley, introduced in the 1.6 update. This farm type starts you off with a coop andtwo chickens.
To feed these starting chickens, the game now provides you with15 pieces of hayright at the beginning of your save file when you select the Meadowlands Farm. This is a helpful head-start and encourages players to focus on raising animals early on due to the pre-placed coop and starting livestock.
Alternatives for Getting Hay
Players can trade an Omni Geode with the Desert Trader for three pieces of hay.
After earning friendship points withMarnie, players may receive 30 pieces of hay for free.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
