1st calf of the year is born!!

Tim and I were out for a calf check as we have been doing for the past week or so.

While we were walking to the back pasture we saw 2 deer.

Thought it to be pretty cool and then thought we saw a fawn.

Then quickly realized one of our cows gave birth. We were a tad bit confused and the color of the calf was reddish. We thought Tiny (who is black) was gonna calf first. As she showed the most signs.

Maple (who is brown) was mooing at the calf. The calf was over the electric fence on the other side from the group. We moved it back and Maple was trying to get it to come to her and he kept running off from her.

We decided to move her and the baby separate from the herd.

Maple moved easy for us. She must of known what our plans were.

Because that was just too easy.

Here's the calf on the other side of the fence.

Maple mooing at the calf.

Here the calf is running from his mother Maple.

Kaitlin and I carried him about halfway and Tim took over.

This little guy is super cute and super heavy. He isn't even the size of a full size calf because he is half Dexter. We were so glad that Tim took him. He wasn't able to bring the truck over as the other cattle wouldn't move from the gate and he was by himself. It takes a team/family to run a farm. 

I was able to give him a bottle of colostrum milk.

Maple knew we were only trying to help her and she was very patient with him.

Every time the calf moved or went under the fence we brought him back to her and helped to keep him close to her. You never know what can happen in any situation with moms and their babies.

This was a huge thing seeing him nurse off of his mother.

It was a late night for us but we needed to take the time to make sure they bonded and he at least nursed.

Now we let them be until morning.

What a beautiful sight. The calf has bonded with his mother. We will leave them to be together for a couple of days before we add girls only in the mix. Leaving the bull and 2 steers on the back side of the pasture until later in the summer.

(We did tag this bull calf #21)

Farm life isn't easy and you never know when a wrench will be thrown your way. You learn as you go and grow with it. This farm has and keeps teaching me and stretching me in ways I never thought before. 

I am so thankful for our farm and the teachings it brings.