The rare birth of calf triplets on a farm outside Dundee has surprised and led to excitement in local agricultural circles. Lisa Christie discovered that the three calves had been born early last Monday while she was out counting the cattle on her grandfather Martiens Christie’s farm, Rietvlei, in the De Jagersdrift area.
“It was quite a surprise! And we are so pleased that the triplets and their mum are doing well. We have brought them to a camp close to our house and the kraal so it is easier to keep an eye on them,” said Lisa. “They are very strong babies and their mum has lots of milk!”
Johan Fourie, an agricultural scientist in the area, said there is about a one in 105,000 chance of a cow having triplets, and the survival rate is only about one in 400,000.
Another interesting aspect of this rare birth is that all three triplets are heifers – female calves! The colouring of the three sisters is also interesting – two light-coloured and one darker.
