How to Get a Pig in Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide to Truffle Hunting

Preparing for Your Piggy Paradise

Pigs in Stardew Valley are more than just adorable farm animals; they’re a lucrative investment that can significantly boost your in-game income. Unlike chickens or cows, pigs provide a unique and highly valuable resource: truffles. These earthy delicacies fetch a hefty price and can be transformed into an even more profitable product. Mastering the art of pig farming and truffle hunting is a cornerstone of a successful Stardew Valley empire. This guide will walk you through every step, from preparing your farm to maximizing your truffle yield.

Before you can welcome your first pig, you’ll need to make some important investments. Pigs require a specific type of housing, and sufficient space for their foraging activities.

A Deluxe Barn

First, you will require a Deluxe Barn. A basic barn simply won’t cut it. The Deluxe Barn is an upgraded version of the standard barn, providing the necessary space and comfort for your future truffle-hunting companions. Upgrading your barn requires a significant investment of resources. Gather four hundred and fifty pieces of wood and two hundred pieces of stone. You will also need to pay twenty thousand gold to Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop. Once you have these requirements, she will start the upgrade, this will take two days to complete.

Enough Space

After the Deluxe Barn is constructed, you will need a sizeable outdoor area for your pigs to roam and forage. Ensure a large, clear area adjacent to the barn, free of obstructions like fences, buildings, or excessive trees. Your pigs need room to wander and sniff out those hidden treasures.

Acquiring Your Truffle Hunter

With your farm properly equipped, it’s time to acquire your first pig. This involves a trip to the local animal expert.

Traveling to Marnie’s Ranch

Head south from your farm to Marnie’s Ranch. Marnie is the local animal vendor, and she sells a variety of livestock, including pigs. Be mindful of her shop hours, as she’s not always available. Marnie’s shop is typically open from nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, but her schedule can vary.

The Cost of a Pig

The cost of a pig is sixteen thousand gold. This is a considerable sum, so ensure you have the funds available before making the purchase.

Naming Your Pig

Once you’ve purchased your pig, you’ll be prompted to name it. This is a chance to get creative and give your new companion a unique identity. Take your time and choose a name that resonates with you.

Caring for Your Pig: A Guide to Happiness

Owning a pig is not just about profit; it’s also about providing proper care. A well-cared-for pig is a happy pig, and a happy pig produces more truffles.

Feeding Your Pig

Like all farm animals, pigs need to be fed. You can feed them hay, which can be obtained from Marnie’s Ranch, or by harvesting grass with a scythe and storing it in a silo. Make sure you have sufficient hay supplies before winter.

Pigs also require a space to graze, so having grass available is very important for them to remain fed. They need to be able to go outside the barn, and find space to feed on.

Happiness

Happiness plays a crucial role in truffle production. The happier your pig, the more likely it is to find truffles. You can increase your pig’s happiness by petting it daily and allowing it to roam outside and forage for truffles. A content pig is a productive pig.

Season Considerations

Remember that pigs do not go outside during the winter. They will remain inside the barn, and will not produce truffles. You’ll need to ensure they have sufficient hay to last through the winter months. Purchasing a heater inside the barn will keep your pigs happy throughout the winter.

The Art of Truffle Hunting

The primary purpose of owning a pig is, of course, truffle hunting. It’s a simple but rewarding process.

How Truffle Hunting Works

Pigs forage for truffles outside the barn during the spring, summer, and fall. They will wander around, sniffing the ground, and eventually unearth a truffle. The more space you provide for your pigs to roam, the more truffles they are likely to find.

Pay attention to your pigs’ behavior. They will often pause and sniff at a particular spot on the ground, indicating the presence of a truffle.

Picking Up Truffles

Once a pig finds a truffle, it will be visible as an interactable item on the ground. Simply walk over to the truffle and pick it up.

The Botanist Skill

Leveling up your Foraging skill will help improve your chances of getting better quality truffles. The Botanist skill ensures that you always get iridium quality truffles, which is the highest possible quality.

Truffle Economics: From Farm to Fortune

Once you’ve gathered your truffles, it’s time to turn them into profit.

Selling Truffles

Truffles have a base selling price of six hundred and twenty-five gold. This makes them a highly valuable commodity.

You can sell truffles by placing them in the shipping bin on your farm, or by selling them directly to Pierre at his shop. The shipping bin is the most convenient option, as it allows you to sell your truffles overnight.

Truffle Oil

An even more profitable option is to turn your truffles into truffle oil. This requires building an oil maker, which is a crafting recipe you can learn as you level up your farming skill.

Truffle oil sells for a significantly higher price than raw truffles, making it a highly desirable product. The value is one thousand and sixty five gold, so it’s worth the time investment.

Maximizing Truffle Production and Profit

To truly maximize your truffle production and profit, you need to implement some strategic planning.

Optimizing Barn Placement

Careful barn placement is crucial. Position your barn in an area with ample outdoor space, free of obstructions. This will give your pigs plenty of room to roam and forage.

Increasing Animal Happiness

Continuously strive to increase your animals’ happiness. A happy pig is a productive pig. Pet them daily, allow them to graze on grass, and ensure they have adequate space to roam.

Using Fences

Using fences can be helpful to keep your pigs within a designated foraging area. This prevents them from wandering too far from the barn and makes it easier to collect the truffles they find.

Conclusion: Embracing the Pig Life

Obtaining and caring for pigs is a rewarding and profitable venture in Stardew Valley. By following these guidelines, you can create a thriving pig farm and reap the rewards of truffle hunting. The valuable truffles they produce will significantly boost your income and contribute to your overall success in the game. So, embrace the pig life, invest in a Deluxe Barn, and start your journey to becoming a truffle tycoon. There are many different animals in the game that can provide a boost to your farm, and pigs are one of the best to invest in for monetary value.