Raising Fainting Goats (2021): Ultimate Guide for Beginners

Chances are, even if you don't know anything about goats, you've heard of the famous Tennessee fainting goats.

These are the goats that are known around the world for their startling tendency to stiffen up and unexpectedly fall over, and have been the subject of many amusing videos on the internet.

Fainting goats are also called myotonic goats because they have a genetic condition called myotonia. It's a neuromuscular disorder, in which the skeletal muscles (used for movement) have a delayed ability to relax after being voluntarily contracted. They don't actually faint (become unconscious) at all.

Myotonia only affects the muscles related to movement, which tense and lock in place, rendering the goats briefly paralyzed and often causing them to fall over. The symptoms of myotonia are more severe after idleness or relaxation, or when the body produces adrenaline, which is why it is associated with being startled.

So, while it's common to think that these goats get so spooked that they faint, what actually happens is that their muscles are prone to sudden bouts of stiffness due to a delayed ability to relax.

Myotonia is a genetic condition, which is why it is concentrated in this particular breed of goat, but it does not affect their health or well-being, and they live otherwise normal and healthy lives, with a life span typical of other breeds of domestic goats.

But he left these extraordinary goats (three does and a buck) with Dr. Mayberry. Dr. Mayberry realized that the condition was genetic, making this a distinct breed of goat that was, according to his research, unique in all the world.

Dr. Mayberry soon discovered some unexpected advantages to keeping fainting goats on his farm.

Firstly, myotonia causes increased overall muscle mass, making them good meat goats. Secondly, their condition makes them poor climbers, and therefore easier to contain in pasture than other goats. Finally, they were often kept with more desirable herd animals as a protection from predators.

Should a predator attack a herd of valuable sheep, the myotonic goat would become startled and fall down, making it easy prey and increasing the chances that the sheep would escape the predator.

Due to the practical usefulness of this breed, as well as because they are friendly and amusing, the breed slowly grew in popularity in Tennessee, and soon into neighboring states as well.

Despite an increase in interest in this unusual breed of goat, both for amusement and for their potential to be farmed for profit, myotonic goats remain very rare. There are only about 10,000 of these goats in the world, and they are classified as a threatened breed.

Although fainting goats are classified as meat goats, they are seldom actually sold for meat. Their unusual characteristics and small numbers make them more valuable and profitable to breed and raise than to sell for slaughter. Myotonic goats are often used:

Due to the value of these goats, they are not generally used as sacrificial animals to protect the herd any more, although it's possible that a handful of people still use them in this way.

Because fainting goats have only been bred for their myotonic condition, there is enormous variation in the acceptable characteristics of the breed. They have a wide variety of coats, ears, faces, and horns, and a large span of sizes.

Fainting goats are landrace goats to the southern United States, and do best in that climate. They will need additional shelter and care if they are kept in much colder and wetter climates. However, their myotonia makes them much easier to care for than other breeds of goat.  

Fainting does can come into heat when they are as young as 4 months, but breeding them that early should be avoided.

The rule of thumb is that a doe should not be bred until she is about 80% of her adult weight or at least 8 months old, but the wide range of adult weights in Fainting goats means that it's safer to wait until she is a year old before allowing her to breed.

Does are polyestrous, and will breed all year long when exposed to a buck, and can breed again within 6 months of giving birth. Bucks are most fertile in late summer and early fall, and will noticeably go off feed when they are rutting.

When a doe is coming into heat, she will generally show signs with signature behaviors, such as:

While most goat breeders prefer to observe a doe and be prepared to assist in kidding if necessary, and protect the doe and the kid(s) by isolating them, fainting goat does have a predilection for hiding their kids when possible, so they are often unnoticed in pasture for the first day or two.

It's important to monitor when a doe has been bred and calculate 145-155 days to monitor the doe so she can safely kid. Fainting goats are excellent mothers, but it's worth noting that they often have three kids, while the breed standard has only two teats. While this is generally not a problem, it's good to keep an eye on multiple births and make sure the kids are adequately nursing.

Fainting goat wethers make excellent and popular pets, and this popularity as a pet helps to reduce some of the stress of figuring out what do to with the unneeded male kids born several times a year, and many breeders find it preferable to sell excess bucks as pets rather than as meat. It is also a good source of additional income from a fainting goat farm.

Pedigreed fainting goat kids cost $300-$500, while unpedigreed goats cost about $200-$400. Wethers for sale as pets cost $50-$100.

These goats are extremely popular, and have become a common addition to petting zoos and farms that do business in public recreation. For that reason, it is easy to find fainting goat breeders with a simple search of the internet or social media.

For the best breeders and the animals with the best bloodlines, it is best to consult the breeder's lists with the International Fainting Goat Association or the American Fainting Goat Association.

Fainting goats can be traced back to Nova Scotia as early as the 1800s. They made their way to the US in the 1950s.

Fainting goats can weigh anywhere from 60 to 175 pounds.

• It’s important that you’re making sure your fainting goats are getting their vaccanations as deemed by their vet.
• Of course, like most goats, these adorable creatures get very lonely if they’re kept alone.
• Fainting goats need to have their hooves trimmed frequently.
• They need more water when it’s in the hotter seasons and when they’re lactating.
• Plenty of open greens, shrubs, and hay will keep your faining goat happy.

Fainting goats can be hard to find and expensive. Here are a couple of places where you can get a certified Fainting goat.

• Big Wheel Ranch
• Golden Acres Ranc

• The International Fainting Goat Association
• The American Fainting Goat Organization
• The Myotonic Goat Registry
• The Fainting Goat Registry

Fun fact: Bucks urinate on their beards as a way to mark their territory. In this article, Bob Phillips, a Knoxville Community Columnist, advises that you should only get a buck if you want to breed.

Fainting goats are adorable, enjoyable creatures that love companionship. They’re great for the whole family, and some people have even considered them the “new dog." They’re less likely to escape like most breeds, and you don’t need any prior experience to have one. These traits, along with their desire to make friends, make them a perfect pet for the family.