A RARE birth of triplet calves has surprised experts in the agricultural industry.

The Limousin cross with Friesian triplets, who have been given the names Cocoa, Chocolate and Coffee, were born on Lurchardon Farm near Inwardleigh last month — one female and two males.

Farmer Susan Monks said she could not believe it when she realised what had happened: 'It was a surprise for all concerned, including the 12 year old mother, who is one of our oldest cows.

'It was my son, Adam, who assisted the births. The first one came out as normal, but then he said he thought there would be a twin.

'An hour later, he and his brother, Stephen, went to get the cow up and there were two more feet sticking out.

'The third calf was coming out backwards so when he delivered it, it had to be hung up to drain all the fluids.

'We were very lucky it happened in daylight because if it had happened at night, it wouldn't have survived.'

Mrs Monks said it was not until she rang the British Cattle Movement service that she realised just how rare the births were.

She added: 'They had sent two passports and I rang to find out where the third one was, they said it had been stuck in the system because it was such an unusual thing to happen.

'When I asked how rare it was, they said considering how many animals go through to register for births, there was pretty much a zero chance of it happening.

'Our genus artificial insemination technican said he had never come across it before and our vet also said it was extrememly rare.'