Dairy Farm

We have seen the same sign for Fair Oaks Dairy Farm every time we have gone to Naperville to see Trenton and either Ben or I have always made a comment on how we would like to take Gabi there.  We finally did this Sunday on the way to visit Trenton for a couple of days.  We were a bit worried about the weather...the skies were not looking so good but it stayed only cloudy and windy for us...no rain at all.  We left home around 10:30 am and got to Fair Oaks around noon or so, just in time to discover the "yellow light" on the birthing barn.  Meaning a cow was in labor and the hooves were showing.  We decided to put in our names for the tour at 1pm and head to the birthing barn not sure if we would see another that day.  It only took about 15 minutes and we got to see the entire birth.  Tyler was not too impressed but Gabi found it interesting...more cute when the calf was completely out and standing up.  We still had some time to kill so we decided to go over to the restaurant and try out some of the foods they make their right from the dairy, i.e., grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk!  YUMMY!  Fantastic!  Took a quick stroll through the gift store area and the exhibits they had throughout and headed over to get on the bus for our tour of the farm.  This is where we learned ALOT!  We saw areas where they convert the manure to energy, the area where they store all the food for the cows, the hutches where babies are taken when they are very small, the areas where the cows are actually held until they are ready to milk and the actual place where the cows are milked.  This place has over 25,000 cows!  Of course, mostly girls because of the milking.  Babies are born nearly once an hour and the ratio is about 50/50 girls to boys.  Males are usually sold to farmers.  Once a baby is born they are taken to their hutch to prepare her for milking as well.  Impressive to say the least!  I was most impressed with how these animals are truly creatures of habit.  The cows are rounded up in a line much like you would see at Cedar Point for a roller coaster and slowly taken to the carousel to be milked.  They ride it once around and they actually know when to back off, get out and head back!  Amazing!  Just amazing. 
Lastly, we got off the bus and went in for the 3D/4D movie before heading out for our next trek...off the Naperville to see Trenton.  A great day on the farm.