At the Wentworth family farm north of Colman, there are a lot of animals to care for and keep track of sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, rabbits, and kittens, to name a few. The family laughs that the farm isnt like most other working farms around the area, its more of a petting zoo.
And its not just the adult animals keeping the family busy right now.
Spring typically means a lot of little ones are also running around the family is helping to keep watch over quite a few babies.
This year, there is one very special new arrival on the farm, a handsome little Charolais bottle calf named Jack. Fourteen-year-old Cadance has been hoping for a bottle calf to come along, one that she could raise on her own.
Shes wanted the responsibility for years and knew it wouldnt be an easy job. Bottle calves, or orphaned calves, are created when either a cow has died, isnt giving enough milk, or a twin has been rejected.
Little did she realize that when her dad surprised her with a baby calf that he found in a neighboring community this spring, it would be one of the trickiest ones on the farm.
Hes going to get to be a big boy, said mom, Charney.
Jack is also blind.
Growing up, dad Mark said his neighbors often had blind cows and they seemed to do just fine. Hes confident Cadance can be successful too, and theyll be close by to help.
Jack will remain in the barn, in a small pen and on the bottle for about eight full weeks. Hell likely then move to a little larger pen and stay with some goats as he grows. Cadance hopes to set up some sort of sound system then that will help guide him to where his food is.
The family is anticipating Jack and Cadance, and even her younger siblings John and Molly, will learn some valuable life lessons from the experience.
Responsibility is always on the list, and its broad, making sure hes fed or asking someone to feed him, does he have water, everything that it takes to keep him alive, said Mark.
