Cow has four calves in ‘one-in-11 million’ birth

“We knew she was carrying twins, [but] when it all happened I was wondering what was actually going on.

“It’s unheard of.

“I’d been at the pub and it is quite common for me to come home seeing double, but on that evening I definitely hadn’t drunk enough.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Hicks said all the credit for the calves’ safe delivery last month went to his calf rearers, in particular Jess and Lee.

“We had two on the floor, one almost on the floor… and by the time I’d sorted everything out and got some kit on, number four was out.”

Reiterating how shocked he was at such an unusual occurrence, he added: “I’d say we might have a set of twins a month, twins do happen. But quads? Never.”

The calves – which are referred to by numbers, rather than names – needed “a little more care” and were initially fed four times a day to make sure they stayed strong.

“We take the calves as soon as possible [after birth]. We let the cow lick it, just for their own benefit really.

“It’s far better that we feed the calves, make sure they get the colostrum – which is the first milk which has all the antibodies in – to make sure that the calf will go on and have a happy healthy life.

“They’re just sort of in a gang with the rest of the calves now, doing really really well.”

Mr Hicks said it was an artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy, but he does not believe that affected the outcome.

“It’s luck really and I did buy a lottery ticket, but obviously I’m still at work so that didn’t quite pay off.”

The mother is also doing well, he said, adding: “She had a little bit more TLC and plenty of fluids, but she’s absolutely flying – and doesn’t know how famous she is.”