Friday: A steady flow of visitors

Friday had a steady flow of visitors to the Center.

One popular spots all day were the chicks.

A volunteer at the Miracle of Birth Center holds a chick for visitors to see.

Incubators have been in the Miracle of Birth Center so people can watch as they break out of their eggs.

Visitors watch the eggs in the incubator.

It takes about one to four hours for a chick to break out of its shell. It then stays in the incubator for about 24 hours to dry off before it is taken out.

Visitors pet a chick while a volunteer holds it.

Visitors to the Miracle of Birth Center were also able to take in a calf being born. At noon, a bull calf was born. After people texted in, the most popular vote for the calf was Butch.

The bull (boy) calf, Butch, resting at the Miracle of Birth Center.

Thursday: A surprise at the end

After a big day of births on Wednesday, Thursday was calm and relaxed. Many people came to visit the pigs that had been born the day before.

Myrna Welter holds a piglet for a visitor to pet. 

Although the sheep are not giving birth during the fair because they lamb in the spring, we have lambs at the Birth Center for people to watch.

Lambs at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. 

There is also an educational display showing how wool is used.

Just before closing, the cow decided she would have her calf. It was a girl! From the text messages, the name was decided as Callie. Both the cow and the calf were healthy and went home that night.

Wednesday: Mother Nature made her own schedule

Mother Nature decided to run her own course on Wednesday. It was a busy day for the animals at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. The births started early in the morning at 1 a.m. with a sow who had 14 piglets. During the evening we have someone on staff to watch over the animals and assist the births if necessary.

Piglets shortly after they were born.

The next sow decided to start farrowing (giving birth) at about 7 a.m. This sow delivered 19 piglets.

Piglets drinking from their mother.

While the pig was giving birth, the cow also went into labor at about 8 a.m. With all the morning action, the Miracle of Birth Center staff tried to get the gates to the Center open as soon as they were able. By 10 a.m., the third sow decided it would also give birth to 11 piglets.

More piglets.

At 2 p.m., the calf name was revealed. Through text messages, the most popular name was Daisy. She and her mother were transported home to Gar-Lin Dairy Farms later that evening.

By 3 p.m., the next cow looked like she was next. But it turned out to be a false alarm. She decided not to have her baby yet.

A crowd watches as the veterinarians on staff checked the cow. 

However, the fourth and final sow didn't want to feel left out. At about 4:30 p.m., the last sow gave birth to 13 piglets.

More piglets after they were born earlier that day.

Although we would have liked to space out the births and had them all during the hours we were open, Mother Nature had a different idea.

Throughout the day, visitors were able to visit with Princess Kay of the Milky, Mary Zauhrones, and Goodhue and Olmsted County dairy princesses.

Princess Kay poses for a picture with Miracle of Birth Center visitor, Leah Sheehan.

Princess Kay reads a book to visitors to the Miracle of Birth Center during story time.

The first newborn calf of the fair!

The AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is open and people are coming to visit! We started off the morning with a newborn calf at 6:30. He is a bull (boy) calf whose name is Charlie! Come out to the fair to visit him!

A bull calf, Charlie, was born this morning at 6:30. 

Charlie got his name from people who are a part of the mobile club and texted in their choice. To be a part of this process and receive texts before and after animals give birth, text the word "birth" to 82942.

The afternoon kicked off with the second annual celebrity milking contest. Mayor Ardell Brede started off the competition.

Mayor Ardell Brede milking the artificial cow, Milkshake, in the 2012 celebrity milking contest. 

County Commissioner Ken Brown was the second person in the celebrity milking contest.

County Commissioner Ken Brown takes his turn to milk Milkshake during the 2012 celebrity milking contest.

After the "milk" was measured, Commissioner Brown won the contest! To try Try milking Milkshake for yourself! Come down to the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center in building 43 next to the dairy barn and across from the horse barn. 

The measuring of the "milk."

Jeannette Sheehan, AgStar Miracle of Birth Center planning committee member, stands with County Commissioner and winner of the 2012 celebrity milking contest, Ken Brown.

The two friendly rivals.

Ken Brown with Milkshake.

It's here!

The Olmsted County Fair has started and the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is open today! Stop by between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to see the animals. Maybe you'll even be able to catch a birth!

If you come out to the fair around 1:30 p.m., we will be having a special milking contest between Mayor Ardell Brede and County Commissioner Ken Brown. Come cheer on our special guests who will be milking, Milkshake.

Dawn Zollman helps Kia milk the Birth Center's artificial cow,
Milkshake, during the 2011 AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. 

One cow decided to give birth this morning. Although we would have liked for her to wait until we were open today, we can't help Mother Nature! The cow had a bull (boy) calf. He'll be ready for visitors when the Center opens and will be named later today!

Check back often for updates about births and events at the Birth Center! You can also find information on our Facebook page. Search AgStar Miracle of Birth Center or go to www.facebook.com/Miracle.Birth.Center

See you at the fair!