Tiny Calf Born on Time

[drl]

I had a calf born this morning that is about 30lbs. The cow is a black full flush cow that I had stuck a purebred charolais embryo in but later ultrasounded to our angus clean up bull for her next cycle. The calf is all white so it has to be the embryo we put in. We had other full sib embryos to this calf that were 90 lbs at birth. Is this just one of those deals or did the recip cow do something funny or...? Trying to warm it up now but it is to small for our normal feeding tube to fit and she doesn't suck enough yet to nurse from a bottle. What would you do?

 

[DL]

Get  a goat or sheep feeding tube....

 

[forbes family farms]

just curious heifer or steer

 

[Jenny]

I am not a vet but just common sense would tell you that many things can and do go wrong with cattle pregnancies as they do with people pregnancies.  one reason for severe growth retardation like this is a poorly functioning placenta that never gives the calf enough to grow and develop properly. 
I agree with the other poster that said to use lamb equipment with this little one; it may grow and develop fine, I always feel like I have to give them a chance anyway.  we have had twins born in this weight range and they did fine after birth and with excellent care.

 

[drl]

She gets up and nurses now. She seems to have some thrive to her but I guess time will tell if her organs and such were developed enough to keep her going. Thanks

 

[FutureBreeder2013]

just curious heifer or steer

They dont come out as steers