Maggie calved on the 29th. She picked a beautiful day, only -10C and had him in a protected spot. Here is Papa and Maggie taking a good look. Papa got a straw bale and spread it around for them and rubbed him dry with it. His name is Meatloaf! Papa picked it and it suits him. I think we should call him Meatball until he's big enough to be Meatloaf :) He's super cute! I looked out the window at 8:25 and there was still steam rising off him! I missed the birth by just a few minutes! Maggie did well on her own and we've had no problems since! She was quite ready to give him to Papa. Barely mooo-d at him at all while Papa was checking him out. When Papa left it took her awhile to realize that she still had her calf! We gave them the day together and then took him away. He did nurse most of the day and still took to a bottle wonderfully!! He's a great little guy! Much smarter then Bullseye was!
This picture reminds me of a nativity! Papa, Maggie and Billy the Steer all looking intently at the new calf. The pigs were nearby and the kittens and Chip all came out to take a look too. Bindy came over and sniffed him briefly then promptly took over the nice clean straw and lay down in it! The day Meatloaf was born started SERIOUS count down for DEAD day for Bindy! That black bucket that you can see by Billy the Steer fooled me a couple of times. When laying on it's side, at a glance, you too could think it was a new calf!
Meatloaf went to live with the laying hens in the greenhouse for the winter. He is SUPER friendly and J and L enjoy playing with him! He loves being pet and follows you around everywhere! Yesterday he found a way out of the greenhouse and explored his pen. Very cute to see him running and jumping and having a great time in snow that goes almost half way up his legs!! And, bonus, he stayed in!! :)
