This list includes 11 farm animals that start with P, from “Pacific white shrimp” to “Prawn”. They cover common livestock, poultry and a few aquaculture species kept for food, fiber and work.
Farm animals that start with P are species kept on farms whose common names begin with the letter P. Many, like pigs, have long cultural histories as food animals worldwide.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Typical uses and Expected lifespan.
Common name: The everyday name you’ll recognize, useful for quick lookup and clear communication with farmers and suppliers.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial helps you verify species and find precise information about breed, health and husbandry.
Typical uses: Short summary of why the animal is kept, such as meat, milk, fiber, work or pest control.
Expected lifespan: Typical lifespan under managed care, which helps you plan long-term care and replacement cycles.
Farm animals that start with P
| Name | Scientific name | Typical uses | Average lifespan (years) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig | Sus scrofa domesticus | meat | 6–10 | Domesticated pigs are raised for pork, adaptable to many systems; intelligent, omnivorous, and commonly kept for meat on small and large farms. |
| Pigeon | Columba livia domestica | meat, ornamental | 6–10 | Domestic pigeons (squab) are farmed for meat and shows; hardy, small-space birds often raised in lofts for squab and exhibition. |
| Pheasant | Phasianus colchicus | meat, ornamental | 3–5 | Common pheasants are reared on game farms for meat and release; colorful males and ground-dwelling birds needing cover and pens. |
| Partridge | Perdix perdix | meat, ornamental | 3–5 | Partridges are small game birds kept for meat and shooting preserves; hardy ground birds often raised in aviaries or paddocks. |
| Peafowl | Pavo cristatus | ornamental, meat | 15–20 | Peafowl (peacocks/peahens) are kept for show and feathers and sometimes meat; loud, striking birds suited to spacious farms. |
| Pony | Equus ferus caballus | riding, draft, ornamental | 25–30 | Ponies are small horses used for riding, light draft and farm work; hardy and long-lived helpers on smallholdings and family farms. |
| Prawn | Penaeus monodon | meat | 1–2 | Giant tiger prawns are a major aquaculture species grown for shrimp markets; farm cycles are short, raised in ponds and tanks. |
| Pacific white shrimp | Litopenaeus vannamei | meat | 1–2 | Pacific white shrimp are the world’s most farmed shrimp species, raised in ponds and tanks for food; fast-growing and widely cultivated. |
| Perch | Perca fluviatilis | meat | 8–12 | European perch are raised in freshwater farms for table fish; hardy predators that need good water quality and feeding management. |
| Pearl oyster | Pinctada margaritifera | ornamental, meat | 20–40 | Pearl oysters are farmed in marine leases for cultured pearls (and sometimes shell/meat); long-lived filter feeders requiring clean water. |
| Pangasius | Pangasianodon hypophthalmus | meat | 5–7 | Pangasius (basa/swai) catfish are intensively farmed in Southeast Asia for affordable white-fish fillets, raised in ponds and cages. |