Two-headed calf born in Tennessee

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — Chance the calf was born this week with two heads and four eyes. 

“I’ve only seen one in magazines or the internet, but I am just amazed by it. I just hope he lives, and he gets a real chance,” said Shannon Chase at the Tennessee farm.

News 8’s sister station WJHL talked to Dr. Andrea Lear, a University of Tennessee farm animal field service clinician, to find out how common a two-headed calf is.

“I wouldn’t consider them rare, but I wouldn’t consider them that common either. I’ve been in practice for eight years, and I have delivered just one, but I have seen one,” Dr. Lear said. 

Lear added that if a calf, like Chance, survives birth, “generally they don’t live more than 48 hours because it’s not uncommon that they have multiple defects, meaning there are other abnormalities that are not right in the development of that calf.” 

Chase said he would be taking Chance home with him Friday night to keep a close eye on his progress.

“We are keeping him comfortable. He’s being looked after every day…only God knows. It’s one of those deals, hopefully he will make it a week or two, hopefully he will make it longer,” Chase said.