DOUGLAS—A seven-year-old Charolais purebred gave birth to quadruplets June 23 at a Douglas farm, west of Renfrew.

"I had no idea she was expecting quadruplets," said hobby farmer Allan Bruce. "And the fact they’re all now healthy is amazing."

When first born, three calves couldn’t stand up and were unable to get milk. "I stayed up with them all night and they were standing the next day," he said.

The odds of quadruplets are rare. Chances are about one in 1.5 million, according to a South Dakota veterinarian. The odds of triplets are about on in 8,000 births.

Last year, a Limousin cow had four calves at a beef farm north of Guelph.