Farming Games are All About Grinding-Chapter 45: Raising Chickens is Really Hard

Ten minutes later, Han Qiwu saw four little chicks that belonged to him, each no bigger than his palm and extremely adorable.

"Egg-laying chickens are 8 coins each, meat chickens 7 coins each, and feed is 5 coins per bag — enough to last the chicks half a month." Yang Yangyang handed the items over to Han Qiwu.

Han Qiwu decisively scanned the QR code to pay, and system notifications promptly followed.

[You spent 3000 gold to successfully purchase three egg-laying chickens and one meat chicken]

[You spent 100 gold to successfully purchase two bags of feed]

Shady shop! Clearly, he said the feed would last for half a month, but it turns out to barely be enough for two days.

"I’ve got a chicken-raising guide here, all the common problems are written inside. If there’s anything else you don’t understand, you can call me." Yang Yangyang enthusiastically handed over a little booklet.

[You received a chicken-raising guide gifted by Yang Yangyang]

[Chicken-Raising Guide: Contains methods for raising chickens]

Han Qiwu was slightly surprised — the chicken-raising guide was actually a system item?

He had been fretting about how to take care of his chickens, and Yang Yangyang proved to be reliable!

He picked up the small cage, inside which the four chicks — two white, two brown — were chirping noisily.

Yang Yangyang, worried that Han Qiwu didn’t recognize the chicks, had even labeled their feathers with small tags for identification.

The white-shelled and green-shelled chickens both had white feathers, while the other two were brown.

Of course, Han Qiwu could see the names displayed above their heads at a glance, so he didn’t need to worry about this.

Eager to begin raising his chickens, Han Qiwu took his stuff and left the breeding facility. Once home, he didn’t rush to put the chicks into the coop but sat down to carefully read the chicken-raising guide instead.

[Chicken-Raising Guide]:

[Both chicks and adult chickens need to live in a chicken coop. Proper care will allow hens to lay eggs daily.]

[Only mature meat chickens can become chicken meat]

[The time it takes for chicks to grow into adult chickens depends on your level of care]

[You can open the coop to let the chickens forage for food on their own, but make sure to close the coop at night. Note: Foraging during rain or snow will cause chickens to fall ill.]

[Chickens lacking feed have a certain probability of dying]

[With enough attention, you will discover ways to solve the feed problem]

[More updates coming soon...]

Although the final line of text was quite annoying — who turns a guide into a serialized novel?

Still, the content was solid and informative.

Han Qiwu summed it up: On sunny days, he would let the chickens forage for food themselves — this would save on feed costs. Feed is critical and cannot be neglected.

As for the specifics of care level and proper raising, Han Qiwu felt he’d have to figure it out experimentally.

Alright, it’s finally time for the thrilling moment of putting the chickens into the coop.

Han Qiwu carried the chicken cage to the front of [Phoenix Tree].

[Please choose which chicks to add to the chicken coop. Remaining space: 6]

Han Qiwu picked up the two white chickens and placed them at the entrance of the coop.

[White Feathered Chicken successfully added]

[Green Shell Chicken successfully added]

The operation was pretty simple.

Han Qiwu then placed the other two chicks inside as well.

[Please select the gender of the meat chicken]

[Note: Meat chickens hatched in incubators cannot have their gender selected]

"You can pick the gender? Then of course it’ll be a rooster!" Han Qiwu had long dreamed of hearing his own rooster crowing.

Plus, roosters are tastier — the texture of the comb is pretty satisfying.

Maybe one day every meal could include a small animal.

Watching the four chicks enter the coop, Han Qiwu got curious and opened the coop door, crouching to walk inside himself.

Buildings generated by the system were impressive — the chicken coop looked fancier than Han Qiwu’s own house, with no odor whatsoever.

Automatic water dispensers, automatic waste removal systems, six tidy straw nests, and an attached feed bin.

Life here seemed way too comfortable!

Han Qiwu even found a large speaker inside.

What’s the deal here? Do they need music to lay eggs?

That 4000 gold was totally worth it!

"Chirp chirp chirp chirp!"

Seeing Han Qiwu, the four chicks curiously gathered around him. They weren’t afraid of him at all, circling his pant legs and darting about.

Han Qiwu grew intrigued, reaching out to stroke one’s head and rub another’s back. He dared not make careless moves, worried about accidentally stepping on them.

Their soft, fluffy down felt amazing — no prickly sensation, just a pleasant touch. Plus, the chicks didn’t peck, instead responding to his outreached hand enthusiastically.

As Han Qiwu continued stroking them, heart-shaped icons began appearing near the chicks.

[Green Shell Chicken’s friendship level increased]

[White Feathered Chicken’s friendship level increased]

[Brown Feathered Chicken’s friendship level increased]

[Meat Chicken’s friendship level increased]

[Note: Friendship level affects the output and quality of animal products]

"Friendship level? Wait, petting them boosts this thing? Do chickens actually have affection rewards?" Han Qiwu didn’t know, but it didn’t matter — whatever it was, higher was better.

Thinking for a bit, Han Qiwu took out a bag of feed, tore it open, and poured some into his hand.

The feed looked like little pellets, each shaped like tiny cylinders. Its ingredient list boasted rich proteins and vitamins. Han Qiwu didn’t know how it was made — whatever, feeding them was all that mattered.

Seeing the feed in Han Qiwu’s hand, all four chicks rushed over immediately. This was when their distinct personalities became clear — the Green Shell Chicken ran the fastest. Though it had wandered the farthest away, it was the first to reach Han Qiwu’s hand to start eating. The Meat Chicken wasn’t slow either, twisting itself into a Thomas-spin and dashing to oppose the Green Shell Chicken for a spot to eat.

The tardy White and Brown Feathered Chickens, realizing there was no room left to eat, tilted their heads upward and chirped anxiously at Han Qiwu.

"You’re smarter than you look — but did you really think I was going to give you feed?" Han Qiwu laughed as he stood up, deciding to open the small coop door to let them forage outside.

Feed costs money, and it wasn’t cheap either.

[White Feathered Chicken’s mood decreased]

[Brown Feathered Chicken’s mood decreased]

[Green Shell Chicken’s mood increased]

[Meat Chicken’s mood increased]

[Note: Mood affects the output and quality of animal products]

Han Qiwu: "???"

Raising chickens involves managing their mood?

Chickens don’t lay eggs if they’re unhappy?

Are they royalty or what?

I’m the boss here!

...

"Alright, come here, eat up, eat plenty, and after you’re done, I’ll go fishing to earn money for more feed." Han Qiwu’s voice was as gentle as a kindergarten teacher’s, and his hand generously offered them feed in handfuls.

He went through two bags of feed, eventually receiving notifications that the mood had improved.

"Four chickens eating two servings obviously didn’t get enough. Let’s let them out to stretch their legs and forage on their own." Han Qiwu opened the small door at the bottom of the coop.

As soon as the door opened, the four chicks scrambled to rush outside.

The scene resembled students sprinting to the cafeteria after the bell rang for lunch.

It was all about the food.