The chances were 1 in 11.2 million, to be exact.

That’s how likely it is for a cow to birth live quadruplets.

And yet, here they are!

Chuck and Deb Beldo own a beef farm in Sebeka, Minnesota. In May of 2018, they had quite a “day of birth” when they met their brand new granddaughter for the first time and then returned home to find one of their cows giving birth.

Most cows have just one calf at a time – and like humans, they are pregnant for 9 months. But the Beldo’s couldn’t believe their eyes when the tiny jet-black cows just kept on coming!

A second…third…and FOURTH!

But while most calves weight about 50-70 pounds at birth, these weighed only 20-25. It seemed unlikely they would survive, especially since there is no way a mother cow can produce that much colostrum to keep them fed.

The Beldos separated the calves from their mother because they were too small to suckle and they were able to procure excess colostrum from a nearby dairy farmer.

“That was a big part of their survival,” Deb Beldo said

Of course, we need to be honest here. Male calves are often sent to beef farms when they’re born to dairy cows – that’s where the extra came from.

The Beldos had to hand-feed the calves every 4 hours.

“They’re just like any other baby. They get fed, they’re tired, and they lay down,” Deb Beldo told the Duluth News-Tribune.

As for being separated from mom, that turned out to be permanent:

“The cow was up and very willing to care for them. However, they were too small and weak. We began bottle feeding them immediately. Had we not, they would not have survived. Now, eight days later, they are strong enough to keep up with her but, she shows no interest,” she wrote in a Facebook comment.

But there does appear to be one family photo:

Chuck Beldo told the paper that he and his wife own about 120 head of beef cattle, half of which were calving that season. But they could never have expected this level of drama!

And while they were excited to see the story go viral, they aren’t looking for a repeat.

“It’s a novelty, but I hope somebody else can have the next experience because once is enough,” he said.

Whether it was because they had grown attached to the calves or because the world was watching, the Beldos were considering naming the cows – and perhaps even keeping them. (Cows on beef farms don’t often get named since that makes it a little too sentimental when they’re sent for slaughter.)

And keep them they did! The cows just turned two years old this year.

But something will need to be done with them soon. Four 1-ton pets is a bit much for anyone.

There’s also no word on whether or not they got named.

About a year ago the couple was considering their options and Deb Beldo wrote on Facebook:

“It has been suggested we keep them as pets. Those who suggest such don’t realize these little sweethearts may grow to weigh a ton each. We feel they were given to us for a special purpose and are considering charity options.”

However, the cows remain on the farm (or at least they did until May when their Facebook page was last updated).

But when a commenter asked: “Almost time to turn all that hard work into steak and hamburger?” Deb Beldo replied: “Pretty soon.”

Then again, how upset can you be if you’re a meat-eater?

Be sure to scroll down below to see an interview with the couple that raised the quadruplets.

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Source: Duluth News-Tribune, WCCO CBS Minnesota via YouTube, Deb Beldo via Facebook