The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Other => Topic started by: Shropshirelass on March 30, 2013, 02:51:03 pm

Title: Freemartins (Unsure of which section to put in)
Post by: Shropshirelass on March 30, 2013, 02:51:03 pm

I know that in cattle with twin heifer calves your more than likely to get a freemartin (Infertile female) if both calves were heifers. But does this occur with other species such as sheep, goats & horses ect (other species that can occasionally have twins) or is this just linked to cattle? x

Title: Re: Freemartins (Unsure of which section to put in)
Post by: Sbom on March 30, 2013, 03:33:46 pm

You get a freemartin in cattle if its bull an heifer twins.  :thumbsup: not experienced it in any other species myself but there was a thread about it a while ago I'm sure :thinking:

Title: Re: Freemartins (Unsure of which section to put in)
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 30, 2013, 09:14:23 pm

As Sbom says, in cattle the heifer calf is likely to be a freemartin if her sibling was a bull calf.  Two heifer calves are much prized amongst the dairy men.

And yes, it was discussed at some length a while back.  linky (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=27373.msg270014#msg270014)

Title: Re: Freemartins (Unsure of which section to put in)
Post by: Shropshirelass on March 31, 2013, 01:19:00 pm

Ah ok thank you & my bad I thought it was 2 female calves (Whoops!) x