Herdable animal

A cow, pig and sheep. Three herdable animals in Age of Empires II.

Herdable animals are a food source in Age of Empires II, Age of Mythology, and Age of Empires III. Unlike huntable animals, they can be controlled by a player if any of their units moves close to them. If more than one civilization of units is near an animal, the animal's ownership goes to the team who has the most units near it - the Celts have a unique bonus that circumvents this rule. This makes them an effective early food source, as they can always be gathered from close to a drop-off point, reducing decay and minimizing Villager walking time. Herdables currently controlled by a particular player can be stolen by another player. Usually, herdable animals appear on the map in groups of two to four.

In Age of Mythology and Age of Empires III, herdable animals will fatten over time, increasing the amount of food they provide upon their slaughter. Starting from the moment they are first discovered by a player, the amount of food a huntable animal holds will increase with a steady trickle until it reaches the maximum amount, which differs per animal and installment. Some upgrades can speed up the rate at which animals fatten.

Age of Empires II

A Scout Cavalry finding sheep.

The following herdable animals appear in Age of Empires II.

• Sheep (100 food)
• Turkey (100 food)
• Llama (100 food)
• Goat (100 food)
• Pig (100 food)
• Goose (100 food)
• Cow (150 food)
• Water Buffalo (150 food)

Civilization bonuses

• Aztecs: Shepherds carry +3 food.
• Britons: Shepherds work 25% faster.
• Celts: Enemy herdables can be converted regardless of enemy units next to them.
• Incas: Start with a free llama.
• Mayans: Herdables last 15% longer.
• Tatars: Herdables contain +50% food. New Town Centers spawn two sheep starting in the Castle Age.

Age of Mythology

The following herdable animals appear in Age of Mythology:

• Cow (75-400 food)
• Goat (50-300 food)
• Pig (50-300 food)
• Yak (75-400 food)

Age of Empires III

“	Herd animal. Fattens over time. Fattens faster if tasked on a Livestock Pen, Farm, or Village.	”
—In-game description

“	Herd animal. Generates experience points. Increased Experience Points generation when tasked to a Sacred Field.	”
—Indian in-game description

“	Herd animal. Enhances resources generated by Shrines when tasked to them.	”
—Japanese in-game description

The following herdable animals appear in Age of Empires III, and decay at a rate of 0.76 per second (like Huntables):

• Cow (50-500 food)
• Goat (50-300 food)
• Llama (50-400 food)
• Sheep (50-300 food)
• Water Buffalo (50-500 food)
• Yak (50-400 food)

Gallery

Villagers herding Sheep to a Town Center in Age of Empires II.