When you first spawn into DayZ, survival feels like a race against time, and the first thing you’ll notice is that hunger sets in fast. If you’re anything like me, your first few runs probably ended with you collapsing in some random field because you couldn’t find a single bite to eat.
So, if you’re just starting out or even returning after a break, knowing how to find food in Day Z quickly is critical to your survival. One smart move that helped me was grabbing a dayz cheap steam key when I first joined; it saved me money and got me into the survival grind faster.
Today, I’m breaking down the best and fastest ways to keep yourself fed without wasting precious time.
1. Looting Boats Along the Coastline
One of the first things I always do after spawning is check nearby boats. Red and white fishing boats along the coast can be absolute goldmines when it comes to finding food early. You’ll often find canned goods, drinks, or even rare items tucked inside. However, don’t waste time running endlessly down the beach, that’s a rookie mistake.
- Instead, check boats close to your spawn point.
- If you don’t find anything after a few nearby searches, move inland.
Spending too much time scouring the entire coastline will just leave you malnourished and even more desperate. It’s about quick scouting and quick decisions.
2. Targeting Greenhouses for Easy Pickings
As you move into small towns and cities, your next best bet for how to find food in Day Z is checking greenhouses. These little glass structures often have vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and sometimes even canned drinks lying around.
Here’s my personal approach:
- Glance through the windows before going inside.
- If you spot something immediately, grab it.
- If not, don’t waste time, move to the next one.
It’s all about keeping momentum. I can’t count how many times wasting precious minutes checking every single greenhouse led to my death later from starvation.
3. Mastering Fruit Trees
One of the easiest and most overlooked methods of survival is learning how to spot fruit trees. Knowing how to find food in Day Z sometimes just means knowing how to look at your surroundings properly.
Fruit trees can provide:
- Fresh apples
- Pears
- Plums
And you can live off them if you’re persistent enough. I always make it a habit to search around the base of fruit trees for anything that’s fallen.
4. Looting Zombies
Now, this method feels a little grungy, but honestly, it works. Killing zombies (or as I like to think of it, “liberating supplies”) is another fantastic way for how to find food in Day Z.
Important things to remember:
- Regular zombies are your best shot for food.
- Special zombies (military, police, medic) usually carry weapons, gear, or medical supplies instead.
You won’t find food on every zombie, but in my experience, taking down ten or so usually nets enough random canned goods to keep you moving. Plus, if you’re fighting them anyway, might as well search the bodies afterward, right?
5. Foraging for Mushrooms
Sometimes, DayZ rewards the observant. That’s where mushrooms come into play.
- Mushrooms grow near trees, often at the base or in shaded forest areas.
- They give you quick, valuable calories.
- Avoid rotten mushrooms, obviously.
Whenever I’m low on food and trekking through forests, I always keep my eyes glued to the ground. It’s saved my life more times than I can count.
6. Scavenging Houses and Key Structures
Finding food inside houses can be a bit hit-or-miss, but once you know which houses to prioritize, it becomes a lot easier.
Here’s my personal priority list when looting:
- Shops/Stalls — Found in cities like Chernogorsk, Elektrozavodsk, and Berezino, these often have canned goods, cereals, and rice.
- Two-story houses with fireplaces — Food often spawns on the tables, stoves, or fridges.
- Green and yellow houses — These seem to have a slightly higher spawn rate in my experience.
- Cabins and farmhouses — You’ll sometimes find canned goods and random supplies here.
Tip: Always check around fireplaces. Developers often hide goodies there, and other players miss them if they’re rushing.
7. Hunting Chickens
One of the most reliable ways for how to find food in Day Z is hunting chickens. If you hear clucking, drop everything and go investigate.
Steps I usually follow:
- Listen for clucks (it’s surprisingly easy once you know).
- Catch and kill the chicken (any blunt weapon or your fists will do).
- Skin it with a knife and cook it over a fire.
Just remember to wash your hands after handling raw meat or wear gloves. Otherwise, you risk getting sick, and an infection is a death sentence early on.
8. Extra Options: Fishing and Farming
Although they’re not as “quick and dirty” as the methods above, fishing and farming are reliable longer-term food strategies.
Fishing:
- Requires a crafted fishing rod (combine a long stick and rope).
- Can be done near any water source.
Farming:
- Requires garden lime and seeds.
- Best set up when you’ve found a good base location.
Conclusion
Surviving your first few days in DayZ doesn’t have to be a desperate scramble for rotten fruit and moldy cans. I always treat every new life as a chance to perfect my scavenging skills, and honestly, that’s part of the thrill.
Stick to these methods, stay sharp, and you’ll be well-fed and well-armed in no time.
