Gina Heslop
In Northeast Texas, a surprising event unfolded when a cow gave birth to not one, but four healthy calves—aptly named Eeny, Meeny, Miny, and Moo by the owner’s granddaughter. The 76-year-old farmer, Jimmy Barling, expressed astonishment, stating, “We knew she was pregnant, but we didn’t know she was going to do this.”
To confirm the unique occurrence, DNA testing on tissue samples from the four calves was planned, according to Barling. The local veterinarian, Mike Baird, described the births as “extremely rare,” citing a 1 in 11.2 million chance for a cow to give birth to four healthy calves. Baird emphasized the importance of scientific verification to rule out the possibility of multiple cows contributing to the birth.
During the birth of the fourth calf, Barling and his wife, Dora Rumsey-Barling, observed the event after hearing buzzards overhead. The couple now faces the challenge of caring for the quadruplets, relying on neighbors to help feed them, as the mother cow struggles to manage the responsibility.
Interestingly, Moo, the lone female calf, remains with her mother, while Eeny, Meeny, and Miny are under the care of different individuals. Meeny, weighing around 25 pounds, stands out as the lightest among the calves. This is notably below the typical birth weight of a healthy calf, which is approximately 75 pounds. Additionally, some of the quadruplets are experiencing difficulties standing.
The Barlings, surrounded by their 20 or so cattle outside DeKalb, near the Arkansas and Oklahoma borders, find themselves in a rare situation that has captivated the local community and experts alike.
