Sometimes things happen when you aren't expecting it, but it works out well.
Meet Ferdinand!
Ferdinand was born as a twin on a neighboring farm. His mom accepted both of them but looked to be unable to provide the nutrition needed to maintain both calves during the winter months.
The owner contacted us with the option of raising him as a bottle baby. We worked out an agreement and traded him for a woodworking project. I think we got a great deal!
Ferdinand has turned out to be a quick learner. He wasn't happy with being removed from his mother and transferred to a new home (which is completely understandable!). He showed his displeasure and toughness by trying to head butt us the moment we released him into the barn. I know that this behavior is not what you want from a bull calf when they get older but the fact that he showed this spunk gave us hope that he would do well with the transition.
Some calves will take to a bottle easily and some will take a lot of coaxing. Ferdinand was a fast learner. He made us look like pros when we presented the bottle to him for the first time. We did have to make a slight cut into the nipple to increase the milk flow from the manufactured settings, but once he got a taste of the milk, he understood.
We set him up in a pen shared with the goats and provided a divider. Ferdinand is our only animal of the bovine species, and we wanted him to have some friends and not feel lonely.
The goats were very curious to see another animal in their pen. They have adjusted well.
Princess (the goat shown in the picture above) has even learned to jump the divider and can now be found hanging out with Ferdinand at random times.
We borrowed a halter to add him to our routine of moving the goats to pasture during the day. At first, he fought the transition of locations, but it didn't take long for him to understand the routine. He is now a pro!
We will keep him tied to the goat shelter for a short while to prevent him from running through the electric netting fence. We want him to understand his boundaries and not take off on an unintended adventure.
The goats have accepted him in their paddock.
We are still working out our long-term plans for Ferdinand on the farm, but we are excited to add him to the mix.