There may be terms or language used in livestock and poultry production that may be unfamiliar to you. The terms may be specific to certain species or may be similar across species. Below is a list of common
words and terms related to breeding and reproduction, health and well-being, feed and nutrition, beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, meat and dairy goats, rabbits, poultry, and horses.
General Terminology |
Herd |
A grouping of a species of animals (cattle, swine, goats |
Flock |
A grouping of a species of animals (sheep, poultry) |
Litter |
Multiple offspring produced at one birth by a multiparous mammal |
Multiparous |
Having given birth more than one time |
Primiparous |
Having given birth once |
Gestation length |
The amount of time an animal is pregnant; lengths will vary by breed and individual animal |
Breed |
A group of animals that, as a result of breeding and selection, have certain distinguishable characteristics |
Breeding animal |
Livestock bred and raised to be included in a reproductive program |
Market animal |
Livestock bred and raised for food consumption |
Weaned |
An offspring that is removed from the care of its sire and dam |
Weanling |
An animal that is no longer nursing |
Yearling |
An animal that is 1 to 2 years of age |
Harvest |
To slaughter an animal for human consumption |
Bulling |
When one animal is riding another animal; may cause physical and health problems to the animal being ridden |
Breeding and Reproduction |
Sire |
A male parent |
Dam |
A female parent |
Artificial Insemination (AI) |
Introduction of semen into the vagina or uterus using technology rather than by sexual contact between animals |
Embryo |
An organism in its early stages of development, especially before it has reached a distinctively recognizable form |
Ovary |
Female reproductive organ that produces ova and, in vertebrates, estrogen and progesterone |
Ovulation |
To produce ova; discharge eggs from the ovary |
Testicle |
Male reproductive organ that produces testosterone |
Castrate |
The alteration of a male animal’s reproductive system that renders it infertile |
Intact |
Duration of pregnancy; the period of development in the uterus from conception until birth |
Gestation |
Duration of pregnancy; the period of development in the uterus from conception until birth |
Lactation |
The period during which mammary glands secrete milk |
Puberty |
When an animal’s reproductive system begins to function; varies by species, breed, age, and weight of animals |
Estrus (heat) |
When a female is receptive to a male for mating |
Estrous (heat) cycle |
Physiological changes that occur in mammalian females which are controlled by hormones and used for the maturation of and release of follicles from the ovary |
Signs of estrus (In-heat) |
If an animal is in-heat, she may: stand for other animals to ride her, try to ride other animals, have loss of appetite, sniff and smell the air, act nervous and restless, experience increase in mucous discharge from the vulva, and vulva may be red and swollen |
Heat check |
Watching for signs of estrus |
Synchronization |
Manipulating the estrus cycle of breeding females so they can be bred at approximately the same time |
K-Mar |
Heat detection device that is a capsule of red dye glued to the tailhead. When the animal is mounted, the capsule breaks, indicating that she may be in heat. |
CIDR Devices |
Devices containing the progesterone hormone, which is placed intravaginally to release progesterone at a controlled rate into the blood stream. Animals will come into heat several days after the devices have been removed. |
Early maturing |
Female reaches mature size at a younger age |
Later maturing |
Female reaches mature size at an older age |
Health and Well-Being |
Vaccinate |
To inoculate with a vaccine in order to produce immunity to an infection or disease |
Polled |
A naturally hornless animal |
Horned |
An animal with horns |
De-horning |
Removal of horns from animals when they are young, making them easier to handle and less likely to injure each other and human handlers |
Docking |
The removal of the majority of the tail, leaving a small portion closest to the body |
Gummers/Broken mouth |
These are usually animals that are advanced in age, but may also be animals that have eaten off of a dirt pen floor where they may chew rocks, thus breaking their teeth. These animals may need additional or easier to consume feed products. |
Withdrawal time |
The amount of time necessary for an animal to metabolize an administered product and the amount of time necessary for the product concentration level in the tissues to decrease to a safe, acceptable level for possible human consumption |
Residues |
The remainder of a drug in the tissue of an animal before the withdrawal time has been met |
Pull rate |
The amount of animals individually pulled out of a larger group of animals in which individual care or treatment is provided |
Feed and Nutrition |
On-feed |
An animal that is consuming its ration of feed normally |
Off-feed |
When an animal’s consumption of feed decreases or stops. This may indicate the animal does not feel well or that there is something wrong with the feed. |
Cud |
A bolus of forage material that a ruminant animal regurgitates to be chewed again |
Ruminant |
Animals that have a stomach with four-compartments that consume forages and regurgitate their cud to break it down so they can break it down and absorb the nutrients. Some ruminant animals include cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, and deer. |
Rumination |
The process of a ruminant animal regurgitating their cud, and chewing it again to facilitate proper breakdown of cellulose rich plant material |
Monogastric |
Single stomach chamber; able to digest limited fibrous material. Examples of monogastrics include swine, horses, rabbits, cats, dogs, and humans. |
Ad Lib |
Also known as free choice; sufficient feed is made available at all times to enable the animal to eat as much as it can eat |
Amino acids |
Building blocks of protein, contains nitrogen |
Animal Protein Product (APP) |
The protein ingredient made from meat, bone meal, carcasses, blood, feathers, and/or fish that is treated at very high temperatures. |
As fed basis |
Weight of the feed or ingredient including moisture (water) content |
Balanced ration |
A balanced ration must contain the five essential elements — water, protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals — in the proper amount and ratios for the species being fed and for the maintenance of that animal (i.e., egg production, body maintenance, desired growth) |
Complete feed |
A ration that provides all the nutrients required. This generally can be purchased or made locally. |
Daily feed intake |
Amount of feed consumed in a day |
Deficient/Deficiencies |
Short or lacking certain nutrients |
Digestible |
Term given to feedstuffs that can be broken down and absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract |
Dry matter |
The portion of feed remaining after removal of moisture |
Dry feeds |
Feeds that are approximately 90 percent dry matter; usually hay and pellets |
Feeding rate |
The amount in pounds or kilos that a specific feed must be fed per day or per animal |
Indigestible |
Term given to feedstuffs that cannot be broken down and absorbed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract |
IU/International Units |
A unit used to measure the effect of many vitamins and minerals |
Limit Fed |
Not allowing an animal to be fed to satisfy its appetite |
Macro minerals/Major minerals |
Minerals such as calcium and phosphorous that are included in a ration in relatively large amounts; usually measured in grams/day or percentage |
Trace minerals/Minor minerals |
Minerals such as copper and zinc that are included in a ration in very small amounts. Usually measured in parts per million or 1/1000 of a gram fractions of a milligram per head per day |
Nutrients |
Items such as protein, fat, fiber, energy, minerals, trace minerals, and vitamins |
Ration |
The amount of feed given to an animal in a 24-hour period; determine ration based on weight, age, and nutritional needs of the animal |
Roughage |
Course, dense plant-based material; hay |
Wet feeds |
Fresh grass or silage; ingredients with a high moisture content |
Residue |
What remains of a plant in a field after harvest |
Harvest |
To remove all grains or crop from a field, leaving residue |
Beef and Dairy Cattle |
Bovine |
Scientific name for cattle |
Beef animal |
Cattle developed for the production of red meat |
Dairy animal |
Cattle developed for the production of milk |
Dual Purpose |
Cattle developed for the production of both meat and milk |
Gestation length |
9 months (approximately 285 days) |
Bull |
Sexually mature male |
Steer |
Castrated male |
Cow |
Mature female |
Heifer |
Young female that has not yet had a calf |
Calf |
Young offspring; sexually immature |
Beef |
Generic term for cattle; meat from cattle |
Junior calf |
An age classification used to separate calves into classes at fairs and exhibitions. These are younger calves. |
Senior calf |
An age classification used to separate calves into classes at fairs and exhibitions. These are older calves. |
Bos indicus |
Cattle developed to tolerate hot, humid climates and generally have a hump on their necks, large ears, and thick skin. These cattle are well equipped to handle dry weather, heat, humidity, and insects. Breeds may include Brahman and Santa Gertrudis. |
Bos taurus |
British and Continental breeds of cattle. Cattle developed for the production of meat and/or milk. These cattle generally do not have humps on their necks, have short ears, and are thicker skinned. These cattle are better equipped to handle cold and wet climates. Breeds typically include Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and many others. |
British breeds |
Breeds developed in the British Isles and brought to the U.S. in the late 1700s and early 1800s. When compared to the Continental breeds, these breeds are smaller in mature size, reach mature size at an earlier age, have less growth potential, excel in fertility and calving ease, attain higher quality grades, and yield carcasses with a lower percentage of salable product. These breeds include Angus (red and black), Hereford (horned and polled), and Shorthorn. |
Continental breeds |
These breeds are newer to the U.S., being imported in the late 1960s and early 1970s, primarily to improve growth rate and leanness of existing breeds. These breeds are generally larger in mature size, are later maturing, produce carcasses with less fat and a higher percentage of saleable product, and lower quality grades. Commonly referred to as “exotic” breeds, and includes Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Salers, and Simmental. |
Backgrounding |
A system that grows calves to enter a feedlot |
Swine |
Porcine |
Scientific name for swine |
Boar |
Sexually mature male |
Barrow |
Castrated male |
Sow |
Mature female |
Gilt |
Young female |
Litter |
Multiple offspring produced during one birth |
Gestation length |
3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days (approximately 114 days) |
Piglet |
Young offspring; sexually immature, (aka Pig) |
Hog |
A mature swine |
Pork |
Meat from swine |
Sheep |
Ovine |
Scientific name for sheep |
Ram, Buck |
Sexually mature male |
Wether |
Castrated male |
Gestation length |
5 months (approximately 150 days) |
Mutton |
Meat of a mature sheep |
Lamb |
A sheep less than 1 year of age; meat from young sheep |
Meat and Dairy Goats |
Caprine |
Animals in the goat family |
Buck, Billy |
Sexually mature male |
Wether |
Castrated male |
Doe, Nanny |
Female goat |
Doeling |
Young female goat; sexually immature |
Buckling |
Young male goat; sexually immature |
Kid |
Young offspring; sexually immature |
Gestation length |
5 months (approximately 150 days) |
Rabbit |
Leporidae |
Scientific name for rabbits |
Buck |
Male rabbit |
Doe |
Female rabbit |
Kit, Kitten |
Young rabbit |
Gestation length |
1 month (approximately 30 days) |
Poultry (chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys) |
Aves |
Scientific name for birds |
Cock, Cockerel, Rooster |
Adult male chicken |
Capon |
Castrated rooster |
Hen |
Adult female chicken and turkey |
Chick |
Newly hatched or very young chicken |
Pullet |
Young domestic hen, usually less than 1 year old |
Broiler |
A chicken that is 6 to 13 weeks of age used for meat production |
Gander |
Adult male goose |
Goose |
Mature female goose |
Gosling |
Offspring of geese |
Drake |
Adult male duck |
Duck |
Mature female duck |
Duckling |
Young offspring of ducks |
Tom |
Adult male turkey |
Poult |
Young fowl, especially a turkey, chicken, or pheasant |
Incubation |
The act of warming eggs in order for them to hatch; a mechanical replacement (i.e., incubator) for a hen sitting on her eggs |
Embryology |
The scientific study of embryos and their development |
Gestation length – Chicken |
21 days |
Gestation length – Duck |
23-29 days |
Gestation length – Goose |
29-31 days |
Gestation length – Turkey |
28 days |
Horse |
Equine |
Scientific name for horses |
Stallion, Stud |
Sexually mature male |
Gelding |
Castrated male |
Mare, Dam |
Female |
Foal |
Young offspring |
Filly |
Young female offspring (usually under 4 years of age) |
Colt |
Young male offspring (usually under 4 years of age) |
Gestation length |
11 months, 11 days (approximately 335 days) |
The authors thank Dr. Candace Croney, Associate Professor, Animal Behavior and Well-Being, Purdue University, for her assistance with the content and editing of this publication.
