You’ve heard the saying “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.” Here at the Minnesota Zoo we would never try to do that, but we do help her a bit when it comes to the timing of spring births at the Wells Fargo Family Farm.

Have you ever wondered how those adorable lambs, goat kids, calves, and piglets all seem to make an appearance just in time for the event each year? The farm staff actually starts planning for the births almost a full year before the event. Every animal at the farm has a different gestation period: cows have nine months, goats and sheep five months, and pigs have three months, three weeks, and three days. Even the chicks and ducklings require 21 – 29 days before hatching!

Spring is coming, and we look forward to sharing the new arrivals at the Wells Fargo Family Farm. The cuteness begins March 25.