Why crops can disappear beside a scarecrow
A basic scarecrow does not guarantee protection. Chris Cote explains that scarecrows reduce the chance of crows taking crops; complete protection belongs to higher tiers.
Scope: Developer reply posted September 10, 2026, during the full-game launch. The reply does not name a patch number. Source checked September 15, 2026; this is developer guidance, not our own playtest.
Check the item before replacing it
- Pick up your scarecrow and read its item description.
- Check the protection chance shown there.
- Use the workbench to upgrade it when you can.
- Read the upgraded item's description before relying on it for complete protection.
Losing a crop with a lower-tier scarecrow is therefore not, by itself, evidence that the item is broken.
Do multiple scarecrows stack?
The retrieved thread asks this question but has no developer answer. We cannot recommend stacking basic scarecrows as a substitute for an upgrade.
Continue with the right next step
If an upgrade requires processed materials, check the Furnace and copper-bar workflow. If an action will not trigger, review carried tools and farming controls before replacing your scarecrow.
Source
Chris Cote's launch-day answer about scarecrow protection. The exact percentages and tier numbers suggested by another commenter are not used here.