Bull calf Ferdinand
Ferdinand had 5 legs
There is almost nothing that does not exist. At the beginning of February, a farmer could not believe his eyes. He found a newborn calf in his barn with a special feature: a fifth leg hanging from its neck. This was a malformation that had formed on the back of the bull calf. It was lying in the straw and the farmer thought, "It's dead! But Ferdinand was sleeping, suddenly felt disturbed, got up and ran away. His young life was not destined to end this way.
Animals with malformations are mostly slaughtered
Ferdinand would not have been able to live in the herd with his fifth leg, because he might have injured himself and other animals. You don't take that risk on a farm.
The owner of the bull calf did not see the fifth leg as a problem and did not think of slaughtering him. The problem was that Ferdinand's birth barn is a dairy farm where only female cattle live. That was the real reason why Ferdinand could not stay. The farmer's thoughts moved in circles until he had the solution: Ferdinand will hopefully get a place at Gut Aiderbichl?
"Can't do it, no way!..."
After more than 20 years of existence of Gut Aiderbichl, more than 6,000 animals have been given a home for life so far. A solution was also found in the case of Ferdinand, and it is a wonderful sign from the farmer that he let Ferdinand live. The calf now leads a good, contented life at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf. It was also special that the owner gave Ferdinand's best friend, Gustl, with him: "The two get along well!" he said with a smile.
So it was the best solution for everyone: for the farmer, who looked happily after the transporter, and for Ferdinand and Gustl, who grew up healthy and lively.
After some examinations, Ferdinand was operated on in Vienna in a special clinic for cattle. Only the shaved spot on the spine still reminds us of the fifth leg.
Should Ferdinand have had a twin sibling?
A cow carries her calf in her belly for about 9 months. Calves born with more legs are usually born "quite normal". For the calf, one, two or three legs on the back does not really mean an impairment. The legs can be surgically removed, as in Ferdinand's case. Sometimes the limbs are connected to the rest of the body by bone, sometimes they are just fused to a fold of skin. Supernumerary legs indicate that a twin has developed but has not finished developing. The legs of the dead embryo are connected to the growing one.
Ferdinand and his friend Gustl are two very healthy, brown and white Fleckvieh bulls. They lick each other, cuddle close together in the straw and drink their milk meals in competition. The little horns grow a little further every day - all is well.
We would like to thank all the supporters of Gut Aiderbichl that were able to finance operations like the one Ferdinand needed because of their help.
The animal has a feeling heart like you, the animal has joy and pain like you, the animal has a tendency to strive like you, the animal has a right to live like you.
- Peter Rosegger