Effect of Twinning on Calving Ease and Viability of Calves

Abstract

The aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects of twinning on calving ease and calves’ viability in Romanian Spotted dual-purpose breed. Data from 280 births (260 single and 20 twin births) were enrolled in order to assess the twinning and the dystocia incidences. Viability of calves was estimated based on a data set collected from 300 calves (260 singleton and 40 twin calves). The average incidence of twinning in herd was 7.14%, while the incidence of dystocia was 19.23%. The twin pregnancies proved to be the major factor related to dystocia, causing a higher prevalence compared to single pregnancies (15% vs. 4.23%, p≤0.001). Stillborn incidence was the most prevalent in twin compared to single births (5% vs. 2.31%, p<0.001). Dystocia proved to be correlated to both, twinning (R=0.31) and calves’ viability (R=-0.44). Also, twinning has a strong correlation with calves’ viability (R=0.49). The twinning induced a significant increase of morbidity compared to single births (12.5% vs. 5%, p<0.001). Considering the detrimental effect of twinning on animal health, welfare and subsequent performance, allows the implementation of after-calving dam-calf care protocols in order to mitigate these effects.

Keywords

• calving ease
• dystocia incidence
• romanian spotted
• twinning
• viability