Longford farmer’s triplet calves beat 1 in 150,000 odds

More good news emerged from the Granard wing of Longford’s agri-maternity ward this week when a cow belonging to farmer Noel Boyle gave birth to triplet calves, an extremely rare occurrence.     

The odds of a cow giving birth to triplets are estimated at around 1 in every 105,000 births. The chances of all three calves surviving the birth however are even slimmer, coming in at around 1 in every 150,000. 

Noel delivered the three calves himself at 1am on Monday morning last week. 

Said Noel, “I never suspected she’d have triplets. She was very heavy alright, but she was heavy before, and she’d already had one big calf.”

He added, “When the first calf came out, she was very small. I went for the second one then and I had a bit of work to keep her alive. I don’t know what possessed me to look for a third but I did and it was a bull so I had a bit of work to get him out but he was alright. They’re all flying it now. I gave them extra milk on another cow as well so they can run with the two cows.” 

Read: Protect your valuables: Longford Gardaí to offer FREE property marking service 

The week before the arrival of the triplets, Noel also welcomed two sets of twin calves.  

“We’re multiplying here!” he laughs.  

Luck certainly seems to be in favour of Granard farmers this month. 

As reported recently, a ewe belonging to John Kiernan gave birth to quads for the third time in a row.