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I figured out breeding primarily by reading the wiki.  Here's the page http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Breeding

Basically cows and sheep will follow you if you're holding fully grown wheat, so you don't actually have to hit them.  Chickens will follow you if you're holding seeds.  I built some small pens that I ususally keep at least two animals in at a time.  To breed them you find two of the same animals standing next to each other and you feed the two the type of food needed.  For example, if you want to breed cows you right click each cow while holding wheat.  Hearts will appear over their heads they'll "kiss" and an adorable baby cow will spawn.  The hardest part is getting the animals in pens but once they're there breeding them is easy!  Hope that helps!!