Animal Terminology

Cattle (Bovine)

* Cow – female over 2 years of age

* Heifer – female under 2 years of age

* Bull – Mature (intact) male

* Steer– castrated or neutered male* Calf – under 12 months of age/offspring*Yearling – between 12 and 24 months of age*Calving – giving birth*Freemartin - female twin born with a bull calf,

approximately 99.9% of time, sterile

Sheep (Ovine)

Ram – intact male Wether – neutered or castrated male Ewe – mature female sheep Lamb – under one year of age/offspring Lambing – giving birth

Swine - Hogs or Pigs (Porcine)

Pig – refers to swine of either sex weighing less than 125 lbs.

Hog – refers to swine weighing over 125 pounds Boar – intact male Barrow – neutered or castrated male Sow – female Gilt – female under one year of age Piglet – nursing pig/offspring Farrowing – giving birth

Horses

Stallion – intact male Gelding – neutered or castrated male Mare – female Foal – newborn, either sex/offspring Filly – young female Colt – young male Foaling – giving birth

Goats (Caprine)

Buck – intact male (never a billy)Wether – neutered or castrated maleDoe – female (never a nanny)Doeling – young female Kid – newborn goat/offspringKidding – giving birth

Chickens

Cock – male over 1 year of age Cockeral – male under 1 year of age Capon – neutered or castrated male Hen – female over 1 year of age Pullet – female under 1 year of age Chick – up to 5 weeks of age/offspring Rooster – all chickens (slang farm term for all male

chickens)

Rabbits (Fancy)

Buck – intact male Doe – female Kit – young /offspring Kindling – giving birth

Gestation

The period of pregnancy. Begins at conception and lasts until parturition or birth. Cow-283 days/9 months Ewe-148 days/5 months Sow-114 days/3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days Mare-336 days/11 months Doe (Goat)-151 days/ 5 months Doe (Rabbit)- 28-32 days