What is a fainting goat?
Fainting goats are also commonly called myotonic goats, stiff legged goats, or Tennessee fainting goats. They are originally from Tennessee. They can come in standard and mini sizes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Unlike the name, these goats don’t actually faint! They don’t lose consciousness at all. They have a gene that makes their muscles tense or freeze up briefly when they are startled. This can make them walk with a stiff leg, or fall over completely. This effect wears off after a few seconds.
There is no evidence to suggest the “fainting” hurts the goat. So long as the goat does not fall from a far height, or fall on top of something sharp, the “fainting” does not cause them harm. The science behind the fainting is similar to when people are startled and clench their muscles briefly. However, for these goats, they simply take a little longer to unclench. These goats are no more uncomfortable than another goat who is spooked and runs away.
The girls, or does can get up to 50 to 70 pounds. The boys, or weathers can get to 60 to 80 pounds. At adult height, they stand at about a human adults’ knee (22 to 25 inches at the withers). This is about the same size and height as the more well known pygmy goats.
Reasons to get a mini fainter goat:
They are a great addition to your home and family
Fainter goats are gentle, affectionate, and curious. They can get up to mischief similar to your pet cat. However, they aren’t as stubborn as other goat breeds and can be more redirectable/ trainable.
Many people would describe them as loving, entertaining, and easy going.
Tired of pulling weeds? These goats will happily eat your weeds and keep plant growth down. Don’t have weeds for them? Because these goats are smaller, they don’t need much to keep them happy.
Goats should eat 3-4% of their body weight a day. For a full grown mini, this means feeding only 1 to 2 pounds of food daily. They can be fed hay, or a mix of hay and grains. This type of food can be found at your local feed store.
Your goat will need some type of cover or shelter to keep them dry. A porch roof or dog igloo will work fine.
Goat’s do fine in temperatures above freezing (32F) and below 90F. In hotter weather provide lots of water and shade. In colder weather, provide (straw) bedding or a heat lamp.
Goats love to play. Giving them something to jump and climb on keeps them happy. This also prevents hoofs from overgrowing and saves you the headache of hoof trimming. Rocks, tires, or old playground equipment all work well.
Goats are social animals. They will get along with most other pets, with kids, and the whole family. However, it can be stressful for a goat to be left completely alone for long periods of time. If you don’t have a friend for your goat, you may want to get two!
Because goats love food and affection, they can be trained similar to a pet dog. With treats, patience, and consistency, you can train your goat to do a lot of things! Goats can be trained to walk on a leash, get on a milk- stand, and even do a few tricks!
However, because of the way goats eat, it is unlikely that they will be potty trained. Goats like to munch or graze on food throughout the day. They defecate in-between eating, usually frequently throughout the day. Some people have managed to train their goat to pee outside, but have had less success with defection. We suggest keeping your goat somewhere you don’t mind it going to the bathroom!
Our parent goats are registered with the Myotonic Goat Registry. Their ancestry is traced back several generations. When you get a goat from us, you can be certain of its breed. Breed guarantees give you assurance of the size and temperament your goat will grow up to be.
If you plan to show your goat, you can ask us about registering the goat you purchase.
There are already many pockets of Sacramento county that are zoned for the legal use and ownership of agriculture. There has also been a recent growing urban movement to legally own goats in backyards and residential homes. Elk Grove City recently updated their municipal code to allow pygmy goats in residential areas. Check your city office for local municipal codes to make sure you can bring your very own goat home!
Not looking for a pet?
Like other livestock, these goats are good for eating too!
These goats are heavily muscled in the rump, and deep in the chest. It is the same myotonic genes that are associated with more muscle mass overall. A goat having at least 50% Myotonic genes will have significantly more usable meat, and less waste then other goat breeds.
For more on this research, please reference the article, “The potential of Tennessee stiff-legged goats in meat production,” (J.M. Dzakuma and E. Risch,1996).