Coworker had a two faced calf born last week

[Karenrbw]

A coworker at school had a two faced Hereford calf born last week. Her son found it in the pasture, all cleaned up and dried off. Mama was upset as the calf couldn't stand. It was taken to the barn and they tried to bottle feed it but the milk replacer went in one mouth and out the other. They called the state university to see if they want it, but no dice. The calf died and was given to a local taxidermist that wants to mount it. I want to ask if I can post a picture before I do, just to make sure it is okay.
The calf had two ears, four eyes, and two mouths. Since the birth, all eight other calves born on the farm have been healthy and normal.

[Ed Norman]

Back in the 60s, you could leave a kid in the car while you went in a store. My mom left me and went grocery shopping. I saw a crowd of men around the back of a pickup over at the feed store. I wasn't supposed to leave the car or cross the road, but it was too much for this 4 year old. I went over and got on the loading dock so I could see in the truck bed. There was a dead two headed calf. I remember it was a Hereford and looked fully formed. The owner was a farmer with his voice box removed, talking with one of those buzzer deals. It was all almost too much for my little mind and I beat feet back to the car. I don't know if I ever even told my parents what I had seen.

[Ken Scharabok]

Yes, you can post a picture.

[tyusclan]

When I was about 9 or 10 my dad and I took my grandpa over to a woods pasture to check on his cows. We found a cow down by the edge of the pond trying to have a calf.

The calf was already dead by the time we found her, and we had a horrible time getting the calf pulled. When the calf finally got out we laid it aside and started tending to the cow until we could get her up and around.

Grandpa and Dad were watching the cow to make sure she was okay, and I was looking at the calf. I noticed that something just didn't look right, and then I saw what it was. The calf had two completely formed heads, and one of heads had gotten turned back against the neck. That was what had the calf wedged in the birth canal and why we had such a hard time getting it out.

When I pointed it out to Dad and Grandpa they both said they'd never seen such a thing.

[gone-a-milkin]

When I was a kid we had a Jersey calf born that only had 3 legs. It was missing 1 of the front legs and instead only had 1, right in the center. There was only one shoulder, and no stump or anything. It needed help to stand up, and only lived for a few days. The parents were both normal cows, and that cow went on to have many other healthy whole calves.

I have seen piglets born with 2 faces and a kitten, but never a calf.

[Karenrbw]

I am having major photobucket issues this evening. We have a very slow connection here and it keeps locking up. If you would post this picture, I could email it to you to post on here to share. If anyone is interested, drop me a pm.

[gone-a-milkin]

Here it is, the 2 faced calf....

[gone-a-milkin]

Poor little bugger.

Imagine how the mama must have felt. That is not a normal skull...

[Beulah Gardens]

My word, poor momma.

[DairyGoatSlave]

wow! thats really neat! Its a shame it died, but thanks for sharing!

[deineria]

That is very interesting. I wonder what makes this occur more often in cattle than other species. . .

[Calfkeeper]

Originally Posted by deineria

That is very interesting. I wonder what makes this occur more often in cattle than other species. . .

I have often wondered this myself. I know that it's caused by twins not separating completely, but somehow it does seem weird that it happens more in cattle.