Twins

[BJ]

We have a set of twin calves..one heifer & one bull born Jan or Feb this year. We want to keep the heifer. We have heard that twins can be sterile...any truth to that statement? Is there some way a vet can test?

[kingdomhick]

Your best bet is for the vet to do a blood test on the heifer. It is a little pricy ( around here 60$) But if you can have a breedable heifer its worth it. Most of us in the dairy industry just ship both. If its from a good cow its worth the cost for us to test though. Good luck.

[MARYDVM]

A quick at home test is to insert a thermometer into the heifer's vagina. If it only goes in a very short amount, the female reproductive tract is not properly developed. Some small farmers raise a twin heifer till its big enough to examine rectally, and then butcher it for beef if it turns out (99% of the time) to be sterile.

[tinknal]

Actually about 90% mary, but yes, I have heard of the thermometer test. These heifers are called free martins. The theory is that the male hormones from the bull calf render the heifer sterile in utero.