7. Consequences of twinning

Twinning in dairy cattle can have both favorable and unfavorable results, but it is not seen as a desirable trait in dairy cattle. Delayed rebreeding and other reproductive problems in twinning cows are some of the reasons for culling by farmers, whereas cows calving singles are culled more due to low milk production [26]. Twinning in the dairy herd population appears to be increasing over time. Cows having twins are at greater risk for many periparturient reproductive and metabolic disorders than cows having single calves. Abortion, stillbirth, neonatal calf mortality, and reduced birth weights are seen more with the birth of twins than with that of single calves [30].
