I was visiting some good friends out on their ranch last weekend, and was able to spend some time doing some daily chores. Among other things, we had to bottle feed this calf because his mother simply did not claim him. He was found trying to knick and little milk off another new mother, but was not allowed.
No mother ever stepped up to claim him, and strange enough, with only forty head of cattle, it is quite difficult to ascertain who did it. So, all that is left is to make up some calf bottle formula and wean him off to water as soon as possible. That is where I came in.
I would love to have a photo of it, but I had the honor of trying to convince the calf of sucking on my finger while I moved his mouth down into the water tub. Eventually, he will realize that the water is not all that bad and that he does not need to suck, but can lap it up anytime.
Man, that is the life. I just know I missed my calling. I really should be a rancher.
