Hatch: food, rock conversion, and early coal support

The Hatch is a good baseline for understanding critter systems. Its value is not only eggs or meat, but also converting lower-priority materials into resources the base can use more easily.

Role

A Hatch-style critter is a resource converter. By eating food or mineral materials, it can return coal-like output that feeds the power chain. This can support early power before the base has stronger infrastructure.

Feeding priorities

Feed must be sustainable. If you feed critical construction material, short-term coal can slow long-term expansion. Use surplus or low-value materials first.

Room planning

The ranch needs movement space, tolerable temperature, and a collection point close to storage or shipping. Avoid placing it across main travel routes.

Timing

Introduce Hatch ranching after oxygen and basic food are stable. Do not create extra food pressure just to start a ranch.

Main risk

The main risk is negative efficiency: if feed hauling costs too much labor or consumes scarce material, the ranch becomes a burden instead of support.