The short answer
Delverium currently limits an animal pen to 24 interior tiles in each direction. A 20×28 interior fails because one side exceeds 24, even though its 560 tiles are fewer than a 24×24 pen's 576. Measure inside the fence and shorten the longer side; meeting this size cap alone does not prove the pen satisfies every other requirement.
Check both interior dimensions
Sagestone says the game tests the connected pen tiles for width and height separately, with a maximum internal size of 24×24. The limit is not simply a 576-tile area budget. The developer described this as the current rule, partly for performance reasons; it may change later.
| Interior dimensions | Size-cap result | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 20×28 | Fails | 28 is over the 24-tile limit. |
| 10×30 | Fails | 30 is over the 24-tile limit, despite the smaller area. |
| 20×24 | Within this cap | Both sides are at most 24; other pen rules still apply. |
Sources for this section
- Sagestone Games: Animal pen size: developer clarification · Checked 2026-09-24 · Published 2026-09-23
If a smaller pen still shows an invalid-size message
This is a developer explanation of the current check, not a Kingy gameplay test. The discussion contains one player's report and a developer reply; it does not establish a broader rise in pen questions.
- Count the open tiles inside the fence, rather than the outer fence footprint. Check that neither interior side exceeds 24.
- Shorten any side above 24 and check the game's pen status again before moving animals or rebuilding a larger layout.
- If both interior sides are within 24 and the game still rejects the pen, record the dimensions and build version. This developer reply does not diagnose every other pen condition.
Sources for this section
- Sagestone Games: Animal pen size: developer clarification · Checked 2026-09-24 · Published 2026-09-23
Your checklist
0 of 3 complete · Loading saved progress…
Research checked 2026-09-24. This is a source-based guide; Kingy has not independently play-tested these steps. Evidence and coverage.