Animal Science Terminologies

Scientific names common poultry and livestock

Common names Scientific Name
LIVESTOCK
Carabao
- River type Bubalus bubalis
- Swamp type Bubalus carabanensis
Cattle
- Zebu Bos indicus
- Temperate Bos taurus
Goat Capra hircus
Sheep Ovis aries
Horse Equus cavallus
Ass/Donkey Equus assinus
Swine
- Native/wild Sus scrofa,
- Domesticated Sus domesticus
Deer Odocoileus virginianus
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
POULTRY
Chicken
- Native Gallus gallus
- domesticated Gallus domesticus
Ducks
- Mallard Anas platrynchos
- Peking (itik) Anas platrynchos
- Muscovy(pato/bebe) Cairina moschata
Turkey Meleagris gallopavo
Quail Coturnix coturnix, japonica
Dove/ Pigeon Streptopelia risoria/Columbia livia
Geese Cygnopsis cygnoides
Swan Olor columbianus
Ostrich Struthio austrialis
Rhea Rhea americana/Rhea pennata
Peafowl Pavo cristiatus
Pheasant Phasianuis colchicus
Guinea fowl Numida meleagis

General Terms:
Ruminant – cud chewing animals, having a compound stomach (namely: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum). Example,
cattle, carabao, goat and sheep
Monogastric – it has single/simple stomach (J-bag)
Estrus –period of sexual receptivity in female animals. (Also known as “heat” period)
Ex. Swine 3-5 days;
Estrous cycle – The interval between the beginning of the first heat period up to the beginning of next heat period.
Copulation - the act of mating
Insemination – the act/process of placing semen in to the reproductive tracts of female animals.

Animal science 1 1
Dam – the female parent
Sire – The male parent
Fertilization – the union of the sexual gamete (sperm and egg cell) to form zygote.
Conception – The act of fertilization
Gestation – pregnancy time, from the period of conception to birth.
Parturition – the act of giving birth or delivery.
a. Calving- the act of giving birth in cows
b. Caracalving – the act of giving birth in caracows
c. Farrowing- the act of giving birth in sows
d. Foaling- the act of giving birth in mare/broodmare
e. Kidding - the act of giving birth in does/nanny
f. Lambing – the act of giving ewes
g. Kindling – the act of giving birth in does (rabbit)
Suckling – the young animals from birth to weaning.
Weaning – the process of separating the young animals from its dam.
Weanlings – the young animals after separation from its dam.
Puberty – the period during which the reproductive organs first become functional. (Ex. the occurrence of first estrus in female
animals)
Fertility – the ability to produce fertilizable ova and to provide proper environment for and initiating cell division and
embryonic development (for females). –The ability to produce large number of semen capable of fertilization
(for males).
Maturity – The period or time where female reproductive organs are fully developed and functional or are now ready for
breeding. This usually achieved after 3-5 heat/estrus succession.
Fecundity – The ability to give birth to offspring frequently or numerous young at frequent interval.
Prolificacy – The ability to produce large number of offspring per parturition.
Sterility – Inability to produce normal young.
Impotency – failure to copulate.
Castration –The process of removing sex organ (testicles) of the male animals.
Spaying – the process of removal of primary sexy organ of the female animals.
Proven sire - a sire that has sufficient breeding information to indicate its transmitting ability.
Transmitting ability – the ability of the parent animals to pass on either good or bad traits to its progeny.
Cryptorchid – a male animal whose testes, one or both failed to descend into scrotal sacs.
 Unilateral – if one testicle failed to descend
 Bilateral – if both testicles failed to descends.
Lactation period – the period during which the animal produces milk from the time of delivery of her young until normal milk
production heat.
Selection – the process of selecting desirable animals from the herd.
Culling – the process of eliminating undesirable or inferior animal/s from the herd.
Crossbred – The progeny of two animals different breed
Inbred – Progeny of two animals with the same breed
Grade/upgrade – Progeny of the native breed and a new or foreign breed

COMMON TERMS IN SPECIFIC ANIMALS ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT IN THE COUNTRY:

LIVESTOCK
Cattle (Bos Taurus, Bos indicus)
1. Cattle – domesticated bovine animals.
2. Bos indicus – Zebu or tropical breed, characterize by a pronounce hump in the back (of shoulder)
3. Bos taurus – European or tropical breed, humpless.

Animal science 1 2
4. Ox – Ruminant member of the bovine family, or sometimes the male used for draft purposes
5. Cattle – Domesticated bovine animals
6. Bull - a mature male breeding cattle
7. Cow – Mature female breeding cattle, one that has given birth. It is usually 2.5-3 years old above.
 Lactating cow – cows with suckling young or producing milk (either for progeny or commercial consumption)/cows
that are in milk production
 Pregnant cow – cow that are already bred or mated, or inseminated.
 Dry cow – the one that stopped in producing milk in after weaning preparation/ Cows that are not producing milk or
that has not produced a calf during the breeding season.
8. Calf – a young offspring of cattle of either sex less than one year of age.
9. Bull calf – a male calf
10. Heifer calf- a female calf
11. Heifer – a female cattle that has not yet given birth or produce offspring.
12. Heiferette– a large heavy heifer that has already delivered an offspring ones
13. Bulling heifer/Serviceable heifer –a heifer that bred at an age for breeding usually from 15 mos. To the first service or
mating
14. Spayed heifer – a heifer whose ovaries has been removed by the process/operation called spaying .
15. Steer – a male cattle whose testes has been removed/castrated before reaching sexual maturity
16. Stag – a male cattle whose testes has been removed /castrated female after sexual maturity
17. Stag Bullock –a stag used for doing work or as a draft animals
18. Yearling – a one to 2 years (12-24 mos.) old cattle of any sex
 Short yearling – a yearling between 1 - 1 ½ years old
 Long yearling - a yearling between 1 ½ - 2 years old.
19. Freemartin – an imperfectly sexed and infertile heifer born twin with a bull calf
20. Stockers – young cattle that is being fed and cared for , in such a way for growth rather than improvement may be realized
21. Polled cattle – naturally or genetically hornless cattle. (ex.: Aberdeen, Angus, Galloway, and Red Poll)
22. Dehorned cattle – horned cattle made hornless by the application of caustic potash or heat destroying the horn forming
cells.
23. Calving – the act of delivery or giving birth in cows
24. 283 days ±5 days – the average gestation period in cattle (9.4 mos.; 40.4 weeks; 9 mos. & 2 wks.)
25. Serving – the act of mating in cattle
26. Vealer – a calf suitable for veal usually less than 3 mos. Of age and wholly milk fed
27. Veal – The meat of a calf less than 3 mos. Of age
28. ___veal –the meat of the very young calf or newly born calf
29. Beef – the meat of the mature cattle
30. Hide – skin of the mature cattle
31. Calfskin – the skin of the cattle which produce a softer leather
32. Herd – a group of cattle/grouping in cattle
33. Flaying –the removal of the skin during slaughtering

CARABAO (Bubalus bubalis, Bubalus carabanensis)

1. Bubalus bubalis – the river type carabao commonly called as “Murrah” with 50 chromosomes. It is characterize by having
tightly curled or dropping straight horn, black to dark gray in color.
2. Bubalus carabanensis – the swamp type carabao commonly/locally known as”Kalabaw”, it has 48 chromosomes. It is
characterice by having horn that is generally curved outward and inward, the color is light gray to gray with the presence
of chevron. Grooves on the upper part of the horn are also noticeable.
3. Cara – is a prefix added or connected to the sex, class, and meat of the carabao to distinguished/designate carabao from
cattle and their products. The word is introduced by Dr. Valente Villegas of UPLB.
4. Carabull - a mature male breeding carabao

Animal science 1 3
5. Caracow – a mature female breeding carabao
6. Caracalf – a young offspring of either sex less than one year of age.
7. Caraheifer – a female carabao that has not yet given birth or produced any young
8. Caraheiferette – a female cattle carabao that has delivered a young ones
9. Carasteer – a male carabao castrated while still young or before reaching sexual maturity
10. Carastag – a castrated carabao after reaching sexual maturity.
11. Caracalving – the act of giving birth in carabao
12. 330 ±5 days – the average gestation in carabao (Philippine carabao);314-317 days (murrah & grades) (295-339 darys-
range)
13. Serving – the act of mating in carabao
14. Carabeef –the meat of a mature carabao
15. Caraveal – the meat of a very young carabao (1 day – 3 mos. Old)
16. Lactating caracows – caracows that are producing milk
17. Herd –groupin in carabao
18. Milking/Dairy carabao – cows that are use in collection of milk.
19. Draft animals – carabao of any sex used for work
20. Silent heat – estrous behavior of carabao wherein the animals are physiologically “in heat” but do not show any visible
signs.
21. Chevron – the two diagonal stripes on the ventral side of the neck, one near the brisket and other near the jaw.

GOAT (Capra hircus)

1. Buck- Mature male breeding goat. It is also known as “Billy”.
2. Doe – mature female breeding goat. It is also called as “Nanny”.
3. Kid – A young goat of either sex.
4. Nanny kid – a female kid.
5. Billy kid – a male kid.
6. Dry doe – a doe that is not producing milk or as doe that has not produced a kid during the season.
7. Milking Doe – lactating doe or a doe that is in milk.
8. Buckling – the act of mating in goat.
9. Kidding – the act of giving birth in goat.
10. 150± days – the average gestation period in goat.
11. Goatling – a weanling female goat until first kidding.
12. Wether goat – a male goat castrated before reaching sexual maturity
13. Stag goat – a male castrated after the sexual maturity.
14. Chevon – the meat of goat.
15. Pelt – undressed skin of goat with its hair.
16. Mohair – the hair of a goat.
17. Band – grouping in goat.
18. Cabrito - the meat of the young goat.

SHEEP (Ovies aries)

1. Ram – a mature male breeding sheep.
2. Ewe – a mature female breeding sheep.
3. Lamb – a young sheep of either sex.
4. Ram lamb – a young male sheep/ a male lamb.
5. Ewe lamb – a young female sheep/ a female lamb.
6. Gimmer – a yearling female sheep between second and third shearing.
7. Wether sheep – a male sheep castrated while still young or before reaching sexual maturity.
8. Stag/Segg – a male sheep castrated after reaching sexual maturity.

Animal science 1 4
9. Tupping – the act of mating in sheep.
10. 148± 5 days – the gestation period in sheep.
11. Lambing – the act of giving birth in sheep (ewe).
12. Shearing - the act of collecting wool/a process of harvesting wool to a mature sheep.
13. Yean/can –another term for lambing.
14. Shearling – a yearling sheep of either sex more than one year of age/ yearling sheep with two teeth.
15. Two-shear sheep –a two year old sheep.
16. Mutton – the meat of mature sheep.
17. Lamb meat – a meat of lamb or a young sheep.
18. Wool - the hair of a sheep.
19. Shorn wool – the hair or wool which is removed through shearing.
20. Pulled wool – the hair or wool which is segregated from the skin after the skin has been removed.
21. Fleece – the wool covering the sheep.
22. Pelt – wool and fiber/skin together.
23. Nome – waste wool.
24. Flock – grouping in sheep.

DEER ( )
1. Notty/Rommel – a group of hornless male deer.
2. Antler – the horn of the deer.
3. Venison – the meat of the deer.

SWINE (Sus Scrofa/Sus domesticus)

1. Boar – Male Pig of any age
2. Sow – Mature female pig, one that has been given birth.
3. Gilt- a young female pig under one year of age, usually one that has not yet given birth.
4. Shote- young pigs of either sex, weighing approximately 60 kg.
5. Barrow- male pig which was castrated while young or before reaching sexual maturity.
6. Stag – a male pig castrated after sexual maturity.
7. Weanling- young pigs separated from the sow, about 5 weeks old.
8. Suckling- young pigs from birth up to weaning.
9. Litter – group of pigs born in one farrowing.
10. Litter size – the number of young pigs born in one farrowing.

Horse (Equus cavallus)

1. Stallion – a mature male horse.
2. Mare – a mature female horse.
3. Studhorse – a mature male horse intended for breeding purposes.
4. Broodmare - a mature female horse intended for breeding purposes.
5. Yeld mare or dry mare- one which has not produced any young during the breeding season.
6. Foal – a young offspring of either sex less than one year of age.
7. Colt – a young male horse from 1-3 years of age.
8. Filly – a young female horse from 1 – 2 years old.
9. Covering – the act of mating in horse.
10. 340 days – the average gestation period in horse.
11. Gelding – a male horse castrated while young or before reaching sexual maturity.
12. Stag – a male horse castrated after reaching sexual maturity.
13. ________ - a dry mare; a mare that has not produced any offspring during the breeding season or a mare that is not
producing milk.
14. Ridgling – Stallion with only one testis or none in its scrotum (cryptorchid).
15. Equitition – horsemanship; the art/act of riding on horseback.
16. Horsemeat – the meat of the horse.
Animal science 1 5
 17. Herd – grouping of horse.

Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

1. Buck – a male breeding rabbit.
2. Doe – a female breeding rabbit.
3. Baby rabbit – a very young rabbit of either sex.
4. Kindling – the act of giving birth in rabbit.
5. 42 days – the average gestation period in rabbit.
6. Bunny – a female rabbit that is sexually capable but has not yet produced any youg/offspring.
7. Lapan – the meat of castrated rabbit.
8. Fur – the soft, fine and thick hairy covering; coat of the rabbit.
9. Pelt – The skin and hair of the rabbit.

POULTRY

Chicken (Gallus gallus; Gallus domesticus)

1. Cock/rooster – a male breeding chicken.
2. Hen – a female breeding chicken.
3. Chick – a young chicken of either sex until weaning.
4. Baby chick – a very young, newly hatch chick usually from 1 – 3 days old.
5. Day old chick – a one day old chick of either sex.
6. Straight run baby chicks – a very young chick not classified as to their sex.
7. Sieve baby chick – are very young chicks classified as to their sex.
8. Sexing – the science and the art of selecting/identifying male and female chicks trough evaluating its cloaca.
9. Pullet – a young female chicken at least 10 weeks of age until first lay of an egg.
10. Cockerel –a male chicken at least 10 weeks of age until sexual maturity.
11. Capon – a male rendered sterile by the removal of testicles (caponizing -the act of removing testicles.
Similar/synonymous in castration)
12. Caponicile – a male chicken rendered sterile through the administration of certain drugs or hormones like
diethylstilbestrol.
13. Brooder hen – a hen with chicks.
14. Spayed chicken - a female chicken rendered sterile by the removal of the ovaries.
15. Broiler – a fast growing chicken raised quickly principally for meat production for only 28 – 45 days.
16. Layer – Chicken raised for egg production.
17. Molting – A biological process of shedding off of feathers.
18. Oviposition- the act of laying an egg.
19. Ovulation – the release of the yolk from the ovary into the funnel of the oviduct.
20. Caponization –the process of removing the primary sex organs of the male animals specifically for poultry.
21. Incubation – the hatching process of fertile egg whereby favorable environmental conditions like temperature,
humidity, position, candling and turning of egg are provided.
22. Candling – the process of placing the egg before the strong light to get an outline of the egg content and detect fertile
and infertile egg.
23. Brooding- the act, or a process of providing heat (artificial or natural) to the newly hatch chick.
24. Culled – refers to any stocks which are inferior in traits or has reduced their productivity and efficiency.
25. Clutch – Number of egg collected

Duck
1. Balikbayan – refers to ducks which have done first and second laying year and being sold as ready to lay.
2. Brooding – a period of duckling is provided with heat.
3. Broody – trait of ducks characterized by desire to sit on the eggs.
4. Infertile egg – egg set in the incubator/brooder and found to contain no developing embryo after candling.
5. Drake – an adult male duck used for breeding.
6. Duck hen -0 a female duck used in breeding.
7. Duckling –a young duck of any sex.
8. Greenduck – a duck raised until 10 weeks of age and sold for meat purpose.
9. Balut – a partially incubated egg which is boiled and sold.

Animal science 1 6
 10. Penoy – an incubated egg which is infertile, remove/determine through candling. These are boiled and sold for
human consumption.

Chickens’ origin ancestry

- Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus)
- Grey Jungle Fowl (Gallus sonnerati)
- Ceylonese Jungle Fowl (Gallus lafayeti)
- Green Jungle Fowl (Gallus varius)

Slaughtering, Processing and Marketing of Farm Animals and Their Products Terms
1. Meat- properly dressed flesh derived from mature animals in good condition at the time of slaughter.
2. Slaughtering- from fasting through stunning, bleeding up to skinning and evisceration.
3. Butchering- from splitting and quartering, to cutting the carcasses into the retail cuts.
4. Hot meat – meat from illegal source
5. Fresh meat- meat that has not undergone any substantial change from the time of slaughter
6. Meat by-products – edible by-products from the slaughterhouse
7. Abattoir- the premise approved and registered as premises for slaughtering animals for human food.
8. Cold slaughter – slaughtering an animal dead of some causes prior to slaughter.
9. Corned meat- prepared meat cured by soaking with or without injecting into it a solution of common salt with or
without one or more nitrate, nitrite, sugar, dextrose, syrup, honey, and with or without species.
10. Curing – the addition of salt with or without nitrate and sugar for the purpose of lengthening shelflife and/or
enhancing the development of odor, color and flavor.
11. Quick freezing- freezing products such that the deepest portion hardens in 30 minutes
12. Deep freezing – freezing products at a temperature of -20 F or lower
13. Green hams- unsmoked cured hams
14. Hot bone meat – meat deboned before the development of rigor mortis

Meat and Meat Products

1. Meat of Different animals

a. Beef- ox, 1 year old and above

b. Veal- ox, less than 1 year old
c. Pork- pig
d. Venison- deer
e. Mutton- sheep, 1 year old and above
f. Lamb - sheep , less than 1 year old
g. Chevon- goat
h. Horsemeat- horse
i. Carabeef- caraveal
j. Lapan - rabbit
k. Game meat- game animals (wild hunted)

Animal science 1 7