In this theoretical paper I will discuss the philosophical and ethical aspects of sociobiology and social behaviour among farm animals. The purpose is to present a philosophical ethology - an animal epistemology so to speak - that gives us a better understanding of farm animal life, and thus provides us with more relevant knowledge from which we can construct theories of animal welfare and ethics. Standard definitions of farm animals often focus on genetics, physical attributes, individual behaviour and the animals' function and output in agricultural production. However, the fully defining characteristics of farm animals include and transcend these limited models and require an answer that evades reductionism and encompasses a de-atomising point of view. Such an answer, I argue, should promote the recognition of traditional farm animals as beings with extensive social capabilities and behaviours: E.g. allogrooming, "friendships" and relationships between parents and off-spring. These natural social aspects which, in intensive agricultural production, are either entirely denied or radically limited, constitute not only important welfare characteristics for the individual animal, they simultaneously lay down parts of the foundation of an additional level of existence and consideration: That the animals are integral parts of sociobiological wholes that in themselves have fitnesses and welfare to be considered. In conclusion, any attempt at constructing a convincing and workable theory of ethics and farm animal welfare must include a pluralistic - i.e. individual as well as a social/sociobiological - understanding of the animals. Thus, welfare and ethics cannot merely be based upon individual aspects (as in deontological or rights based theories), or solely on the good of the collective (as in for example utilitarian theories), but must encompass both within its framework.