Guide to Farm Animal Vocabulary & Need To Know Terms
The complexities of farming and animal husbandry have generated quite a unique vocabulary. Most of us have likely heard and even used some of the commonly used animal, food production, and farm terminologies, but do you know the difference between them and what exactly they mean? We’re breaking down some of the most commonly used animal terminologies in this first part of our Guide to Farm Animal Vocabulary and Need to Know Terms series.
Did you know that most livestock animals rely on nutrient-dense soybean meal to thrive? Keep reading to find out how much below.
Cattle
Cattle consume 1.9 million bushels of South Dakota soybeans.
Calf: unweaned young male or female
Yearling: animal between 1 and 2 years of age that has not produced offspring
Bull: non-castrated adult male
Steer: castrated male
Heifer: a young female cow that has not borne a calf
Cow: adult female that has had at least one calf
Angus: cattle raised most commonly for beef production
Holstein: cattle bred specifically for milk and dairy production
Herd: a group of cattle
Sheep
South Dakota ranks sixth nationally in sheep and wool production.
Lamb: less than one year of age, usually has not produced offspring
Yearling: animal between 1 and 2 years of age that has not produced offspring
Sheep: over one year of age, having usually produced offspring
Ram: a male sheep
Wether: a castrated male sheep
Ewe: a female sheep
Lambing: the process of giving birth to lambs
Flock: a group of sheep
Pigs
Pigs consume 9.2 million bushels of South Dakota soybeans.
Swine: a term for pigs and hogs
Pig: a young swine
Boar: a male pig over six months of age that can be used for breeding
Sire: the male parent
Gilt: a young female pig that has never given birth
Sow: an adult female pig that has farrowed a litter of piglets
Dam: the female parent
Farrowing: the birthing of a litter of piglets
Hog: a swine weighing over 120 pounds
Poultry
The term poultry includes chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, all of which have their own unique terminology.
Chicken
Layer chickens consume 908.9 thousand bushels of South Dakota soybeans.
Chick: a newly hatched chicken
Cockerel: a male that is under a year old
Cock: a male that is a year or older
Rooster: a male chicken
Pullet: a female that is under a year old
Hen: a female that is a year or older
Layer Breed: a breed of chicken that is raised primarily for egg collection
Dual Purpose Breed: a breed of chicken that is raised for both eggs and meat
Flock: a group of chickens
Turkey
Poult: a baby turkey
Jake: young male turkey
Gobbler: adult male turkey (also known as a Tom)
Jennies: young female turkey
Hen: adult female turkey, 1 year or older
Flock: a group of wild turkeys
Rafter: a group of domesticated turkeys (also known as a gang)
Duck
Duckling: a baby duck
Drake: adult male duck
Hen: adult female duck
Flock: a group of ducks
Geese
Gosling: a baby goose
Gander: adult male goose
Goose: adult female goose
Gaggle: a group of geese not in flight
Skein: a group of geese in flight (also known as a wedge)
