The Right Names for Animals

Cattle
Female cattle are called heifers.
After they have given birth, they are called cows.

Male cattle are either bulls or steers.
Bull calves that are mature and capable of producing offspring are called bulls.
Steers are male cattle that have been neutered and are unable to reproduce.

The offspring of a bull and a cow is called a calf.
When a cow gives birth, it is called calving.
Cows usually give birth to just one calf at a time, but twins are not uncommon.

Meat from cattle is called beef.

Sheep
Female sheep are called ewes, referred to as ewe lambs before giving birth and ewes after having given birth.

Male sheep are either rams or wethers.
Ram lambs that are mature and capable of producing offspring are called rams.
Male sheep that have been neutered and are unable to reproduce are called wethers.

The offspring of a ram and a ewe is a lamb.
When a ewe gives birth, it is called lambing.
A ewe often gives birth to twin lambs, sometimes even triplets or quadruplets.

Meat from sheep is called lamb.

Swine
Female swine are called gilts.
After a gilt has given birth, she is called a sow.

Male swine are either boars or barrows.
Boars are male swine that are capable of producing offspring.
Barrows are male swine that have been neutered and are not capable of reproducing.

The offspring of a boar and a sow is a piglet or pig.

When a sow gives birth, it is called farrowing.
A sow gives birth to a group of 8 - 12 piglets, called a litter.

When a pig is about 6 months old and at market weight (around 250 pounds), it is called a hog.

Meat from swine is called pork.