Animal Science: Species Vocabulary

Species Vocabulary for Domestic Animals

Cattle (Bovine)

  • Mature female: cow

  • Immature female: heifer

  • Intact male: bull

  • Castrated male: steer

  • Baby: calf

  • Act of giving birth: calving

Sheep (Ovine)

  • Mature female: ewe

  • Intact male: ram

  • Castrated male: wether

  • Baby: lamb (up to 11 year of age)

  • Act of giving birth: lambing

Goats (Caprine)

  • Female: doe

  • Intact male: buck

  • Castrated male: wether

  • Baby: kid

  • Act of giving birth: kidding

Horses (Equine)

  • Mature female: mare

  • Immature female: filly

  • Mature intact male: stallion

  • Castrated male: gelding

  • Immature male: colt

  • Baby: foal

  • Act of giving birth: foaling

Pigs (Swine)

  • Mature female: sow

  • Immature female: gilt

  • Mature male: boar

  • Castrated male: barrow

  • Baby: piglet

  • Act of giving birth: farrowing

Poultry

Chickens
  • Mature female: hen

  • Immature female: pullet

  • Mature male: rooster

  • Immature male: cockerel

  • Castrated male: capon

  • Baby: chick

Turkeys
  • Mature female: hen

  • Immature female: jenny

  • Mature male: tom

  • Immature male: jake

  • Castrated male: capon

  • Baby: poult

Rabbits

  • Mature female: doe

  • Mature male: buck

  • Baby: kit

  • Act of giving birth: kindling