Which farm animal has the longest gestation period?

Among common farm animals, horses have the longest gestation at approximately 336 days (about 11 months). Donkeys are similar at 365 days. Cattle come next at 283 days, followed by sheep at 147 days.

Which farm animal has the shortest gestation period?

Among the common farm animals covered in this guide, pigs have a relatively short gestation at 114 days (3-3-3 rule), and goats at 150 days. Rabbits (31 days) and chickens (21 days incubation) have the shortest gestation among domestic species.

How do I calculate due dates for multiple species?

Use our free calculators: cattle gestation calculator (283 days), goat gestation calculator (150 days), pig gestation calculator (114 days), and dog gestation calculator (63 days). Each includes breed-specific adjustments and milestone timelines.

Gestation Periods of Farm Animals Compared

If you manage multiple species on a farm or homestead, keeping track of gestation periods across animals can be challenging. This guide compares the gestation periods of farm animals side by side — cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, horses, and dogs — so you can plan your breeding calendar, staffing, and supplies accordingly.

For species-specific due date calculations, use our free calculators linked in the table below.

Animal	Avg. Days	Range	Approx. Months	Calculator
🐄 Cattle/Cow	283	279–287 days	~9.3 mo	Open →
🐐 Goat	150	145–155 days	~4.9 mo	Open →
🐷 Pig	114	112–116 days	~3.7 mo	Open →
🐕 Dog	63	58–68 days	~2.1 mo	Open →
🐑 Sheep	147	144–152 days	~4.8 mo	Ref only
🐴 Horse	336	320–362 days	~11.1 mo	Ref only

Cattle Gestation: 283 Days

Cattle and cows have one of the longer gestation periods among common farm animals at an average of 283 days — just over 9 months. Gestation varies by breed: Holstein dairy cows average 279 days while Brahman beef cattle can go to 292 days. See our full cattle gestation calculator and complete guide to cattle gestation.

Goat Gestation: 150 Days

Goats are pregnant for approximately 150 days (5 months). Unlike cattle, goat breeding seasons are naturally tied to shorter day length (fall/early winter in the northern hemisphere), so most operations see kidding in late winter or early spring. Read our guide: How Long Are Goats Pregnant?

Pig Gestation: 114 Days (The 3-3-3 Rule)

Pigs have the most memorable gestation period in livestock: 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days — exactly 114 days. Commercial swine operations rely on this predictability to run tight all-in/all-out production cycles. Use our pig gestation calculator to find your sow's farrowing date.

Sheep Gestation: 147 Days

Sheep gestation averages 147 days (about 5 months), very close to goats. Like goats, sheep are seasonally polyestrous and breed in response to decreasing day length. Lambing typically occurs in late winter or spring in temperate climates.

Horse Gestation: 336 Days

Horses have one of the longest gestation periods among domestic animals at approximately 336 days (about 11 months). The range is wide — 320 to 362 days — and mares are notoriously difficult to predict. Most mares in the northern hemisphere are bred to foal early in the year to maximize birthdate advantages in age-based competitions.

Dog Gestation: 63 Days

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days from ovulation (9 weeks). Unlike livestock, litter size varies enormously by breed — from 1–4 in small breeds to 8–12 in large breeds. See our dog gestation calculator and week-by-week guide.

Planning a Multi-Species Farm Calendar

When managing multiple species, aligning breeding dates across species can help you concentrate birthing seasons — simplifying staffing and supply purchasing. For example, if you breed cows in April (calving in February), you might target goat breeding in August (kidding in January), creating a sequential workflow rather than overlapping emergencies.

Our full gestation periods reference chart shows all species side by side for easy cross-species planning.