Animal
Gestation
# of young
Weaning
To Market
Life Span
Terms
Pig
3 months,3
weeks and 3
days.
8 to 14
piglets, as
many as 20!
Nursed for 18
to 28 days
Grown to
250lbs in
approx 6
months
10-15
(breed for 5)
Sow- female that has had a litter
Boar- Adult male
Weaner- weaned pig
Gilt- Mature female not had litter
Barrow- castrated male
Dairy Cattle
9 months.
Single calf.
Cows must be Twins
2 to give birth happen.
Males are
sold, females
retained for
herd.
10 to 12 years
but up to 20.
*approx 5
calves birthed
Cow- female that has had calf
Heifer- female not had calf yet
Bull- Mature male
Steer-Castrated male
Beef Cattle
9 months.
Single calf.
Calf stays
with mother
one day, then
put in calf
hutch.
Calves stay
with mother
and nurse
until reaching
300lbs!
18 months to
processing or
up to 20
Same as above
Sheep
4.5 to 5
months
10 to 12 yrs
Ewe- adult female
Ram-Adult male
Goats
5 months
Singles, twins
and triplets.
Certain
breeds are
known for
multiples
Singles and
Twins
Those not
kept for
breeding are
raised to
1800 to
2000lbs and
18 months of
age.
Lambs
marketed at
approx. 70 lbs
and 5 to 6
months
Dairy goats
produce 8L of
milk a day for
about 10
months.
12-15 yrs
Doe (Nanny) is adult female
Buck (Billy) is adult male
Kid is newborn
Lambs nurse
for 2 months.
Kids nurse 2
to 3 months.
Horses
11 to 12
months
Singles
Weaned at 4
to 6 months
Not full
grown until
over 1 yr.
Can reach 30
yrs old.
Rabbits
25 to 32 days
5 to 10
(average is 7)
Weaned at 30 When 6 to
to 60 days
10lbs
Up to 10 yrs
Chicken
21 to 28 days
n/a
28 days
n/a
8 to 12 weeks
for meat
birds.
16 weeks for
layers to start
laying
14 to 18
weeks
Up to 10yrs
Turkeys
Kept at 95 F
and reduce
temp by 5F
per week
until at barn
temp
Similar
Geese
28 to 35 days
9 to 20 weeks
Up to 20 yrs
Ducks
25 to 35 days
7 to 15 weeks
5 to 10 yrs
*could* live
up to 10yrs
Mare is adult female
Broodmare is female for
reproduction
Stallion is stud male
Gelding is castrated male
Filly/Colt are female/male young
Kits are young rabbits
Buck is male rabbit
Doe is female rabbit
Kindle is what we call a litter
Hen. Rooster.
Pullet- female starting to lay
Cockeral- castrated male
Broiler-chicken raised for meat
Layer- hens used for eggs
Tom- Male
Hen – Female
Poult- young offspring
Hen- Mature female
Gander- Mature Male
Gosling- offspring
Hen- Female
Drake- Male
Duckling- offspring
Steckle Heritage Farm: Our Animals
Cows

Stinky, Stan (black holstein’s born in August 2011), Freddie (red Holstein) and Hershey (Jersey) born Oct 2011
Miniature Horses


Toby (2yrs), Taffy (1yr), Prince (9 – borrowed)
Not for riding! But are quite strong and often used for pulling
Sheep



Ariel, Jasmine, Kasey and Snowy
Suffolk cross breed
Breed is for meat
Goats




Snow White, Blossom and Carly
Blossom and Snow White are Saanen-Nubian Cross
Carly is Lamancha-Nubian cross. Her ears are typical of Lamancha and called “elf” ears
These are Dairy goats
Pigs



Peanut Butter and Jam are females. Buddy is the Boar
PB and J are Iron Age and Tamworth cross
Buddy is Tamworth-Berkshire cross

Both are heritage breeds. Very hearty and live outdoors year round
Geese


Pomeranians – old german breed. We call them the “Twins”
Lone duck is Luigi – he is a Pekiing
Chickens



Rhode Island Red’s – Layers
Plymouth Barred Rocks (black and white) – Layers
Chanticleers- dual purpose Heritage Breed