Domesticated animals?

[invivo4u]

I've read all the posts and still don't understand what they are!! I know that I've got a ton of them in all my storage places and didn't do anything to obtain them. I think it's important to distinguish between "animal pen" and "pasture". Many posts regard "pens" when what the poster is considering are "pastures". I've added "pens" and the producing animals are already present. Are they the "domesticated animas"? If not, what is a "domesticated animal" and of what use are they? Trade boats often have them and I guess I can use them in trading but it seems to be a confusing issue. It would be helpful is somebody would post a precise description of how they use the "DA".

[ebrumby]

To me, this is one of the odder creations in the CC mods. Domesticated animals are invisible, imaginary creatures that come in a crate. There are some hidden on every CC map. When you clear a field, you might uncover one and it gets put into storage (you'll see the crate sitting there to be picked up). You can also collect all of the Domesticated Animals hidden around your map by building a Wild Shepherd (staffed by a Gatherer). After a couple of years, they won't find any more and you can delete that building or upgrade it into a regular Gathering Hut. You can also trade for them.

USES: Their main use is for trade - they are worth 250 each. They are also construction requirements for several buildings. You need 2 DA to build a Stable which will produce more Domesticated Animals in exchange for around 200 grain ( Barley, Corn, Oats, Rye, Sorghum, or Wheat). You need 4 DA to make one of the Animal Pens (Milk, Eggs or Wool). And you need 12? DA to make the Milking Barn.

[Tony 101101]

Domesticated animals (DA) are not that difficult to understand:
DA when stored or traded are generic animals - not a specific species.

DA can be obtained by trading as you have noted but they can also be randomly "found" when clearing land or specifically looking for them using a building called a "wild shepherd" that when staffed will increment the number of gatherers.
DA can also be manufactured by building a stable. The stable requires to be staffed and supplied with one of the grains.

One can either trade them or use them in animal pens to provide milk, wool, or eggs. Small amounts of either leather or feathers are also produced depending on the pen.

I have rarely played vanilla Banished and almost always play with Colonial Charter and the Megamod. As a result I am not completely sure whether the Wild Shepherd building or the Stable is part of the vanilla game or not...

In practical terms, particularly in the early game I like to seek out DA and use them to produce wool. I make wool coats and trade those for handsome returns.
In the middle part of the game I sometimes also create a stable and then trade the excess DA produced - the mechanics seem better then buying trade animals and then breeding and trading those.

[Tony 101101]

I forgot about the milking barn...

[invivo4u]

Thanks to all for the clarification! I've never paid attention to the crates on a cleared field ... I guess that's how they ended up in storage. I haven't used the Wild Shepherd yet ... sounds like fun! I really enjoy CC and started with "Adam and Eve"; more fun than "easy" in Banished Regular. I can't imagine how all the products that show up in trading boat will ever be used ... the vast variety is too much to comprehend.

[Tony 101101]

As you grow your town you will surprised as to how the dynamics develop and the huge variety of items that start swirling around!