In this case, the twin calves developed in the two separate horns of the uterus --a normal bifurcated uterus. During labor, the cow must strain hard enough to rupture the placenta, or water bag, of each fetus for delivery. After she did this to deliver the first calf, she rested. She can rest for a few hours or a day or two before the labor hormone, oxytocin, is secreted from her brain to induce contractions of the uterus, initiating her straining to rupture the placenta and deliver the second calf.
These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution
Welcome
eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America.
Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts
Why would a cow have one calf and then the next day have another?
Last Updated: October 13, 2008
Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts
Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.
This resource area was created by the: Beef Cattle community
Resource Area Feeds
In This Resource Area
Cattle Facts:
Beef Tips:
- Reproduction
- Breeding and Genetics
- Herd Health
- Management
- Nutrition
- Pastures and Forages
Glossary: