Gender reveal

After our Valentine's Day calf was born yesterday, I still wasn't able to determine the gender. That's because Filet was being, understandably, very protective.

This morning when I went out to feed, she immediately gathered her baby and retreated to the opposite side of the corral. Actually I didn't mind this. It meant I could clean the barn and fill the water tank without watching my back.

The baby actually navigated the deep snow with surprising dexterity.

I cleaned up the barn floor and then layered the floor mats with sawdust in hopes it would increase traction for the newborn. I noticed it slipping yesterday.

The baby followed Filet right into the barn for breakfast.

In fact, while mama ate her own breakfast, the newborn dove in for its own breakfast as well. Go for it, kiddo! Get all the colostrum you can!

I checked up on everybody midday, and saw Filet by herself out in the snow. But where was the baby?

It turns out baby was bedded down inside the barn. Smart baby.

In the evening, since all the animals were outside, I took the opportunity to clean the barn and scatter more sawdust.

Interestingly, the calf came loping over right away, curious to see me. Keeping a wary eye on Filet, I felt under its tail. A boy! Dear readers, meet Romeo.

We've marked on our calendars for ten days from now (when the testicles drop), at which point we'll band Romeo's equipment and turn him into a steer. He'll have a date with the freezer in a couple of years, but in the meantime we're enjoying having a calf again.