The birth of four healthy calves from a single cow in northeast Texas has caught the attention of locals and experts alike. Jimmy Barling’s announcement of the DNA testing of the calves aims to shed light on this extraordinary event and confirm their parentage.
The surprise and amazement expressed by Barling underscores the rarity of such an event, where there is only a slim chance of one cow giving birth to four healthy calves. As the community rallies around the Barlings and their newfound quartet of calves, the story highlights the resilience and adaptability of rural farming communities. Amidst the awe and excitement, the need for scientific validation highlights the importance of thorough research and understanding in agriculture and animal welfare.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, and Moo are the names of four healthy calves born to a cow in Northeast Texas.
Jimmy Barling announced Monday that tissue samples from the four calves will be subjected to DNA testing to confirm they were all born to the same mother.
There were four calves – three males and one female.
Barling, 76, said: “We knew she was pregnant but we didn’t know she was going to do this.” This took me by surprise. That totally blew us away.”
About twenty head of cattle are owned by Barling’s wife, Dora Rumsey-Barling, and live outside DeKalb, near the Oklahoma-Arkansas border.
According to Barling’s account, Rumsey-Barling’s granddaughter named the four black calves “Eeny, Meeny, Miny and Moo”.
Michael Baird, a local vet, described the births as “extremely rare”.
According to him, the probability of a single cow giving birth to four healthy calves is 1 in 11.2 million.
Because of Baird’s familiarity with the Barlings, he is almost certain that all four calves came from the same cow, and not from another cow nearby that had given birth to one or two before moving on and creating the impression that all four came from a Barling cow…
“For the sake of science and the animal world, this is one of those things that needs to be verified beyond doubt,” he said.
When the couple heard buzzards overhead, they went to check on the cow and ended up staying to watch her give birth to her fourth calf.
A mother cow cannot assist in feeding her four calves, so she has to rely on her neighbors.
While Eeny, Meeny, and Miny are in the care of two different people, Moo is left with her mother.
Meeny is the lightest of the calves, weighing about twenty-five pounds.
The birth of four healthy calves from one cow in northeast Texas has sparked both amazement and curiosity among farmers and veterinarians. The Barling cow’s owners were taken aback by the rare sighting, with even a local vet describing it as “extremely rare”. The decision to perform DNA testing on the calves is aimed at confirming their lineage and further understanding this unique event. As the calves adjust to their new lives, the community pulls together to ensure their well-being, highlighting the importance of cooperation and support in rural farming communities. This extraordinary event serves as a reminder of the wonders of nature and the bonds formed between humans and animals in an agricultural environment.