It turns out that feeding bottle calves is equal parts sweet and endurance test.
In a new Instagram video shared by The Pioneer Woman, Ree and her daughter Paige helped feed a trio of hungry calves on the ranch—and let’s just say the little guys are very enthusiastic about breakfast. Ree captioned the post: “Paige helped me feed the calves this morning. You should see it when it’s just me. 😂 Catch the Gremlins reference if you’re over the age of 48. It’s a calves’ world out here these days!”
You might recall this past winter, Ladd braved a historic snowstorm to rescue a newborn calf. That calf, affectionately named Bessie Lou, has stayed under the Drummonds’ close stewardship for awhile now. And somehow, two more babies have joined them! Meet Fiona and Ellie Mae.
Although, as you can see in the below video, Bessie Lou clearly likes to stay the center of attention.
As Ree has explained in the past, “When you first arrive in the pen to feed the calves, they circle around you, bump you in the legs or hips or bottom (depending on your height as it relates to the calf), and start sucking on your jacket.” A calf will bump their mama cow as part of the natural process to keep the milk flowing, and they do this whether it’s a cow or you holding the bottle.
Despite the real workout of getting knocked around, Ree has happy memories of feeding bottle calves as a family affair—she would prepare the bottles and the kids would take turns down in the pen to feed them. Hence, why the video caught everyone’s attention.
“I still can’t believe you have 3 of them now 😅😂😂😭,” Alex commented on the video.
“Ellie Mae is my favorite!!” Paige chimed in.
Folks in the comments were just as smitten. Many called the video “sweet” and “precious,” while others shared their own memories of feeding bottle calves. A few even chimed in to say it was their favorite chore growing up out in the country—which, after watching this video, is pretty easy to understand. There’s just something about wobbly calves and oversized bottles that makes it all feel extra wholesome.
