In this reference, you will find information about different animals you might encounter on a farm. It will also help you learn how to refer to these animals in English and recognize their names in conversation.
You can explore sections such as “list of farm animals” and “types of farm animals”. There are also lists of farm animals, facts and examples to enhance your learning experience.
Contents
Farm Animals Names
What Are Farm Animals and Domesticated Animals?
Domesticated or domestic animals are animals that are bred to serve varying purposes of humans. Domesticated animals differ from wild animals in that they are born, raised, conditioned, and reproduced to work with, respond to, or serve humans in one form or another.
Farm animals are a type of domesticated animal that serve purposes in the form of agriculture. They may be raised and used for their meat (such as chicken or pigs), milk (such as from cows or sheep), or labor (such as horses, cattle, or donkeys).
List of Farm Animals
- Cattle (cows and bulls)
- Rabbit
- Duck
- Shrimp
- Pig
- Bee
- Goat
- Crab
- Deer
- Turkey
- Dove
- Sheep
- Fish
- Chicken
- Horse
- Dog
- Cat
- Geese
- Llamas
- Ostriches
- Camels
- Oxen
- Reindeer
Types of Farm Animals
Domesticated animals are generally classified into two types: those that serve as farm animals (or livestock, animals raised for making commodities), or those that serve as pets. Cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens are considered farm animals, while cats and dogs are considered pets.
There may be some overlap in these categories. For example, a dog may be considered a pet, but it can also be (colloquially) considered a farm animal if used as a shepherding dog. In some countries, laws exist as to what animals are considered pets (in the United States, for example, horses are considered livestock, not pets).
Farm Animal Names with Pictures
Cattle
Cattle (cows and bulls) were domesticated as long ago as 6500 BCE, with some regarding the domestication of the animal to go as far back as 10,000 years ago. Cattle are bred for their meat, labor, and milk. Popular breeds include Angus, Wagyu, Kerry, and Holstein.
Example: The farmer raised a herd of cattle on his ranch.
Rabbit
Domesticated rabbits are used for their meat and pelts. They are also considered to be good pets, common breeds include Californian, Alaska, Opposum, Fox, Lynx, Brazilian, and Isabella.
Example: The children giggled as they watched the playful rabbit hop through the garden.
Duck
The American Pekin Duck is a breed of duck that is primarily used for meat. It was introduced to the Americas in March 1873 when a ship of nine specimens arrived in New York City from Beijing, China. Three of the duck hens of this group had laid three hundred eggs by July 1873.
Example: The mother duck led her ducklings to the pond for their first swim.
Shrimp
A shrimp is a small, shellfish-like creature that lives in the ocean. They have a long, curved body with multiple legs and a hard outer shell. Shrimp are a popular seafood and are often cooked and eaten in a variety of dishes.
Example: The chef prepared a delicious shrimp scampi with garlic and butter for the dinner party.
Pig
Pigs are believed to have been domesticated in the Mesopotamian region and Turkey from at least over 11,000 years ago. They have also been believed to be domesticated separately in China 8,000 years ago. Common breeds include the Welsh, American Yorkshire, and Large White.
Example: The farmer raised several pigs on his farm, which he planned to sell at the local market.
Bee
A bee is a flying insect that is known for its role in pollination and production of honey. Bees are social creatures and live in colonies, with each colony having a queen bee, worker bees, and drones. They have a fuzzy, striped appearance and are often seen buzzing around flowers.
Example: The bee landed on the flower and collected nectar to bring back to the hive.
Goat
Female goats, also known as nannies or does, will produce a large amount of milk during a single year. In a ten-month period, they will produce 90 quarts of milk each month. Some goat breeds are used only for their meat, and this includes the Kiko and Boer breeds.
Example: The farmer’s goat escaped from its pen and wandered into the garden, munching on the vegetables.
Crab
A crab is a type of crustacean that lives in oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water. They have a hard exoskeleton, sharp claws, and a sideways walk. Crabs are often used as a food source and are considered a delicacy in many cultures.
Example: The children were excited to go crabbing on the beach and catch some crabs for dinner.
Deer
A deer is a four-legged mammal that is commonly found in forests and other wooded areas. They have a slender body, long legs, and antlers (in males) that they shed and regrow each year. Deer are herbivores and feed on leaves, grass, and other vegetation.
Example: The hiker spotted a majestic deer in the distance and watched as it gracefully leapt through the forest.
Turkey
Modern domesticated turkeys are descended from domesticated turkey breeds of Central America and Mexico — breeds that were domesticated by Native Americans almost 2,000 years ago. Compared to wild turkeys, they are less genetically diverse and can not fly.
Example: The family gathered around the table to enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, complete with a roasted turkey as the centerpiece.
Dove
A dove is a small bird that is often associated with peace and love. They have a plump body, small head, and a distinctive cooing sound. Doves are often used as symbols of love and are commonly seen at weddings and other romantic events.
Example: The couple released a pair of white doves into the air as a symbol of their love and commitment to each other.
Sheep
Sheep are known for their meat and their milk, but they are also known for the wool they produce. In a year, a single sheep can produce anywhere from 2 to 30 pounds of wool. Wool is commonly harvested (especially in the United States) in the spring.
Example: The shepherd guided his flock of sheep through the meadow, making sure they stayed together and didn’t wander off.
Fish
(plural: fish)
A fish is a cold-blooded aquatic animal that typically has scales, fins, and gills. It breathes through its gills and swims using its fins.
Example: I caught a big fish while fishing in the lake.
Chicken
Though some chickens are bred distinctly for their meat or their eggs, there are some breeds that are considered to be dual-purpose. These include breeds like the Black Australorp, Speckled Sussex, and the Rhode Island Red.
Example: The farmer collected the eggs from the chicken coop and sold them at the local market.
Horse
Horses are domesticated animals that serve as transportation, agricultural labor, and occasionally as a food resource. They originated in Central Asia and have been used as domesticated animals for thousands of years. Popular breeds include Arabian, Clydesdale, and Palamino.
Example: The farmer used his draft horses to plow the fields and plant the crops
Dog
The exact location, or even region, of the domestication of the dog — is not known, but theorists place the time of its domestication from 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. It is believed the dog is descended from an extinct wolf-like ancestor.
Example: The guide dog led the blind man safely across the busy street and to his destination.
Cat
The ancestor of today’s domesticated cat is believed to be Felis silvestris lybica, or the North African (or Southwest Asian) Wildcat. The period of time of domestication is believed to be the Neolithic Period (10,000 to 4,500 BCE) in the Near East/Fertile Crescent region.
Example: The cat napped lazily in the sunbeam, enjoying the warmth on her fur.
Donkey
Donkeys (Equus asinus) are grazing animals that spend as much as 16 hours a day feeding. When compared to horses, they are not as ready to show a response of fear — leading some to assume stubbornness. Donkeys are very social animals and will befriend other donkeys and horses.
Example: The donkey brayed loudly, alerting the farmer to the presence of a coyote in the area.
Geese
The domesticated goose (Anser anser domesticus) is a domesticated grey goose, descended from the greylag or swan goose species. Geese are raised for their meat and eggs, but also for their feathers, which are referred to as down.
Example: The flock of geese honked loudly as they flew overhead in a V-formation.
Llamas
Llamas (Lama glama) are domesticated animals that have their origins in South America, particularly the Andes Mountain region. They are used as pack animals (able to carry 25 percent of their body weight for 5 to 8 miles), for meat, and for their wool.
Example: The farmer used his llamas to carry supplies and equipment up the steep mountain trail.
Ostriches
Ostriches are considered only partly domesticated animals, but they are raised as livestock for their meat and eggs. Ostriches are the largest birds on the planet, with adult males reaching 7.8 feet tall, and weighing anywhere from 200 to 300 pounds.
Example: The children were amazed at the size of the ostrich eggs, which were much larger than chicken eggs.
Camels
The Dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is a one-humped camel that originated in North Africa and the Middle East. It is a long-domesticated species, with naturally-occurring wild specimens not appearing for as long as 2,000 years. It is used for its meat, milk, hides, transport, and labor.
Example: The children rode the gentle camels around the petting zoo and marveled at their humps.
Oxen
Oxen are a type of cattle used specifically for draught purposes — pulling plows, wagons, and carts. They are usually castrated male cattle that are valued for their strength, heft, weight, and ease of control. North American oxen commands include words like back, haw, get up, gee, and whoa.
Example: The farmer used his pair of oxen to plow the fields and plant the crops.
Reindeer
The reindeer is native to northern regions of Eurasia and North America, and can be considered semi-domesticated — though it is still used for its meat, milk, and pelts. It is the only domesticated deer in the world and is used by the Inuit, Sami, Nenets, and Yakut peoples.
Example: The reindeer‘s thick fur and padded hooves protected it from the harsh arctic weather.
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