I am sure that your prolonged exposure to these farm animals has given you valuable insights into the nature of these animals. But I think you'd agree that informal observation has serious epistemological shortcomings. (I presume from what you wrote you did not engage in rigorous scientific observation of these animals.)
Personally, I've spent essentially no time around farm animals, but from what I understand about the scientific work in the area it seems likely that many farm animals have quite sophisticated minds. One review of experimental findings in pig intelligence[1] claims that "pigs possess complex ethological traits similar, but not identical, to dogs and chimpanzees".
Personally, I've spent essentially no time around farm animals, but from what I understand about the scientific work in the area it seems likely that many farm animals have quite sophisticated minds. One review of experimental findings in pig intelligence[1] claims that "pigs possess complex ethological traits similar, but not identical, to dogs and chimpanzees".
[1]: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8sx4s79c