The Stanley family, have expressed elation at the rare birth of triplet Friesian heifers on their dairy farm in Bandon Co. Cork over the weekend, marking a great start to their 2025 calving season.
This is a first for the third generation family farm, which is run by Richard Stanley, alongside his wife Fidelma, and children, Stephanie, Samantha and Christopher.
While the family were aware that the cow in question was expecting triplets, the sex of the third calf remained uncertain, despite the fact that sexed semen was involved.
Once they learnt of the cow’s fortunate circumstances, they endeavoured to provide her with the best care throughout the pregnancy to bolster the chances of the three being born in good health.
Triplet Friesian heifers
Speaking of the unique birth, Stephanie Stanley said: “It was a great surprise.
“We knew she was having triplets, but we didn’t know whether the third one was a male or female, even though it was sexed semen, there obviously is a small percentage that one could turn out to be male.
“So, we were minding her and watching her like a hawk just in case.”
The cow gave birth to her triplets prematurely on Saturday, January 11, which Stanley admitted “was to be expected”.
However, the farmer’s daughter was thrilled to reveal that both the cow and her triplets were in full health and vigour.
“The first one came out very lively. Dad did have to give a bit of help to the second and third one but other than that, there was no difficulty, they came out fine as well.
“They are tiny but they were up and sucking straight away,” Stanley admitted.
The three heifer calves have since been named Teeny, Tiny and Tots and according to Stanley, continue to thrive.
Twin births are uncommon among dairy herds but triplets are an even greater rarity, with the ICBF reporting an approximate chance of 1/333 birth, which isn’t lost on Stanley.
“I know it’s very rare, especially from sexed semen. I know the chance of calving twins is something like 2.5% so triplets would be even lower again,” she said.
Stanley hopes the birth of triplets, the first calves to be born on the Blueard family farm in 2025, signifies a lucky season ahead.
“We’re at the start of it now, they’re the only ones at the moment and hopefully the rest will all go well too, fingers crossed,” she added.