Do you really believe that which characteristic is important about an animal is not a cultural question? If it seems "obvious" that's because your culture is invisible from the inside.
Sorry, but this is BS. First of all I'm European and my wife is Japanese. Asked her - same answer.
Second of all - just try some mind trick where you go outside yourself and try to observe something objectively, say as an 'Alien' who visits Earth for the first time. Which of the listed characteristics of a hen vs. a cow is important to you?
http://www.zompist.com/amercult.html