WHILE farming can be challenging and difficult, it can also throw in an odd surprise too as one Falcarragh couple found out.
Manus and Margaret Gallagher, from Rocktown, got “the surprise of their life” when they discovered their cow Rocky had given birth to triplet calves on Monday night of last week.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Manus said in his more than four decades suckler farming he has never seen the birth of triplet calves on his farm.
“It is quite unusual. I am a suckler farmer and have been doing this for 45 years and this is the first time this has ever happened. We didn’t know anything about it, we went to the shed and there the three calves were, just born.
“This is the first time ever this has happened to us. She was quite big on the Wednesday before the birth, but we never expected twins let alone triplets. They are all doing good.
“I knew she was coming close to calving, so we put her in the shed and when I went back at 9pm that night three calves were born. I am a small suckler farmer and to have something like this happen is really great.”
Manus said the incident has been causing a flurry of interest in the locality and has even made it on to various social media sites.
“There’s been so much interest locally and online. Something like this has never happened to me before, it was a very nice surprise to come by
It’s a good news story during these uncertain times.”
Manus said Rocky and the three calves are thriving, and are welcome additions to the farming family.
“Rocky was given her name by three lads who reared her as a calf and it just stuck.
“Rocky and her three calves are doing really well.”
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