Knockout food before the fight
Berries knock herbivores. Meat knocks most carnivores. Watch torpor drop after the last hit, then park the tame in a box. Keep this resource nearby when you compare kibble versus raw food on a new map.
A pen that survives the first raid
Build on a cliff or a hidden pocket, not on the beach spawn. Stone beats thatch. Leave a bed outside the vault room. Skim additional game information for extra notes on turret range and tribe ranks before you plant a generator.