Taming the Wild: Animal Farming Techniques on Minecraft 1.8 Survival Servers
22nd January, 2022
Minecraft, the popular sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios, offers players a vast and immersive world to explore and conquer. One of the key aspects of survival in Minecraft is ensuring a steady supply of food. While hunting and gathering are essential in the early stages, animal farming becomes crucial for sustainable food production in the long run. In this article, we will delve into the world of animal farming techniques on Minecraft 1.8 survival servers, specifically focusing on taming and breeding animals to create thriving farms.
Taming Animals
Taming wild animals in Minecraft requires a bit of patience and the right approach. In version 1.8, players can tame wolves, horses, and ocelots. Let's take a closer look at each of these animals and the techniques involved in taming them.
Wolves: Wolves are loyal companions that can help you defend against hostile mobs. To tame a wolf, you need to give it bones. When you find a wolf, right-click on it while holding bones, and keep offering them until hearts appear above its head. This indicates that the wolf is now tamed and will follow you. You can also give your tamed wolf a collar made of dyes to customize its appearance.
Horses: Horses are excellent for transportation and can be tamed by repeatedly attempting to ride them. Once you find a horse, right-click on it and try to mount it. The horse may initially buck you off, but keep trying until you see hearts above its head. You can also equip horses with saddles and armor for added functionality and protection.
Ocelots: Ocelots are elusive creatures that can be tamed into domestic cats. Taming ocelots involves a unique mechanic. When you come across an ocelot, you need to carefully approach it without making sudden movements. Once you are within range, right-click on it and hold still until the ocelot starts approaching you. If you move too much, the ocelot will flee. Repeat this process until the ocelot becomes tamed and transformed into a domestic cat.
Breeding Animals
Once you have tamed animals, you can set up farms to breed them and increase their numbers. Breeding animals in Minecraft not only provides a sustainable source of food but also ensures a steady supply of resources such as leather and feathers. Here are the key steps to breed animals in version 1.8.
Cows, Sheep, and Pigs: To breed cows, sheep, or pigs, you need to have two adult animals of the same species. Hold their respective food items (wheat for cows and sheep, carrots for pigs) and right-click on them. Hearts will appear above their heads, indicating that they are breeding. After a short time, a baby animal will be born. You can repeat this process to grow your farm.
Chickens: Breeding chickens is slightly different from other animals. Instead of using a specific food item, chickens lay eggs, which you can collect and throw to initiate breeding. When you throw an egg, there is a chance that it will hatch into a baby chicken. Alternatively, you can right-click on two adult chickens with any type of seed to prompt them to breed.
Managing Animal Farms
Efficiently managing animal farms in Minecraft involves creating suitable habitats and ensuring a sustainable food supply. Here are some tips to help you maintain thriving farms on 1.8 survival servers.
Enclosures: Build fences or walls to create enclosures for your animals. This prevents them from wandering off or being attacked by hostile mobs. Make sure to provide enough space for the animals to move around comfortably.
Feeding: Maintain a steady supply of food to ensure the health and reproduction of your animals. For herbivores like cows and sheep, use wheat as their primary food source. For pigs, carrots work best. Chickens require seeds for breeding.
Breeding Cycle: It's crucial to manage the breeding cycle of your animals effectively. Allow the babies to grow into adults before initiating the breeding process again. This ensures a sustainable population and prevents overcrowding.
Automatic Farming: As you progress in Minecraft, you can set up automatic animal farming systems using redstone mechanisms and hoppers. These systems can automatically breed animals, collect resources, and even sort them for storage, saving you time and effort.
Animal farming in Minecraft 1.8 survival servers provides a rewarding and sustainable source of food and resources. By taming and breeding animals, players can establish thriving farms that support their survival and progression in the game. So, jump into the wilds of Minecraft, tame those wild creatures, and watch your animal farms flourish!
