Twin calf question.

[WDF]

Are there reproductive problems with calves that are twins? I was told not to buy a particular heifer calf because it was a twin. Is this fact or fiction? Thanks....Russ

 

[Beefy]

90% of the time a heifer that was twin to a bull will be sterile. fact. (note* she doesnt have to be born with a bull) do a search on here for "freemartin"

 

[WDF]

She was a twin to a bull calf...thanks!

 

[randiliana]

Note, Twin to a BULL!! Heifer/Heifer twins are just fine. And Beefy is right over 90% of heifers that are twins to a bull are infertile.

 

[WDF]

Thanks....Glad I didn't buy her!

 

[karlie45]

Is the bull born of the heifer/bull twin sterile as well?

 

[dun]

Is the bull born of the heifer/bull twin sterile as well?

No. The bull hormones affect the heifer but not vice versa.

dun

 

[KNERSIE]

I've read that they could be subfertile, but usually not sterile.

 

[msscamp]

I've read that they could be subfertile, but usually not sterile.

I've never seen an article about twin heifers in general being subfertile - is it possible that the articles you've read are dealing with specific genetics? We've had a number of twin heifer calves over the years, and never had a problem with any of them settling.

 

[dun]

Since the hormone comingling has no affect on the bull twin of a mixed gender pair there is no reason it would be subfertile. Frequently twins are smaller then single births and may not grow to yearlings to be as heavy as singles. They may be slower to develop but that's an affect of birth size and nutrition.
The subfertile claims are probably in the category as not keeping heifer calves out of heifers, just an OWT, or more appropriately OFT

dun