Bad Start

The cows here are not suppose to start calving for at least a couple of weeks.  But Thursday, on the worst weather day, one decided to have her calf early.  Of course it was a cow that was one of Joe's favorites.  

He was pretty small, maybe 30 pounds.  He could stand but wouldn't nurse.  He seemed underdeveloped.  His hair was very short and velvety, (a sign of being premature)

With rain and snow and temperatures below freezing, we brought him into the garage overnight and I tube fed it.  Doesn't he look clean and cozy?

The next morning, he wasn't so clean.                                                                                                               

He could still stand but would not nurse.  I tube fed him again but he continued to deteriorate.   He was dead the next morning.  Not a good start to this Spring calving season.