Fainting Goat: Characteristics, Facts & Breed Information

The fainting goat, also known as a myotonic goat or Tennessee fainting goat, is a domesticated goat that can be found in the United States where they are used for meat production. Their name is fainting because these goats have a condition called myotonia congenita. Myotonia Congenita is a heredity condition where their muscle cells experience prolonged contraction when they get startled. Keep reading to learn more about them.

History

Fainting goat history documentation shows little about where they came from. Traced back to the 1800s, farm laborer John Tinsley from Nova Scotia, Canada, came to Marshal County, Tennessee with four goats. The 4 goats that he brings from that time are 3 does and 1 buck. But these goats he brings are unusual, they stiff when they get startled.

At that time, they believed that John Tinsley stayed there for 1 year before he left there. But before he left, he sold his goats to the farm of Dr. Mayberry. Then, Dr. Mayberry tried his best to research about them.

After extensive research, he found out that these goats are a new breed of goat, which he calls Tennessee fainting goat or fainting goat.

Origin

They originated in Marshal County, Tennessee, USA, where they are used for meat production.

Fainting Goat Characteristics

• Fainting goat size is small.
• Their most common colors are black and white. But they can also have other colors.
• Their hair can be short or long.
• Buck and does usually have horns.
• Their heads are small with ears that have different styles.
• They have large, prominent eyes in high sockets.
• Their bodies are strong even though they are small.
• Their legs are small.
• Adult bucks and adult does height is around 17-25 inches.
• Adult bucks and adult does weight is around 60-174 pounds.
• They are efficient browsers.
• They are parasite resistant goats.
• They can adapt to different types of climates and environments.
• They have good mothering skills.
• Their temperament is usually docile, friendly, gentle, curious and generally quiet.

Facts

• They’re cute.
• They can be domesticated.
• They originated in Tennessee.
• They have a lot of other names.
• Their population is only more than 10,000.
• Their lifespan is 10-18 years.
• Their gestation period is 150 days.
• Their milk production per day is less than 1 liter.
• Their milk fat content is 4-11%.
• Older fainting goats learn not to fall down, but they freeze from the tension.
• They are raised for their meat.
• They don’t actually faint.
• They have their own festival in Tennessee.
• Their common habitat is usually in the pastured area because this is the place where they eat.
• Their diet is usually hays, plants, leaves, grains, grasses and weeds.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• They are good for small acres of land.
• They only eat small amounts of food.
• They are easy to keep and to handle.
• They have the ability to adapt to different types of climates and environments.
• Paring with the same size as the bucks, the breeding process will be very easy.
• They are resistant towards parasites.
• They are efficient browser goats.
• They have a long breeding season.
• They have good mothering skills.
• They usually kid twins and triplets each time.
• Their meat is tender with a mild flavor.

Cons

• Their breed is scarce.
• They are expensive goats due to their low population.
• They are easy prey for the predators.
• They can pass through the large spaces of the fences.
• They are not good milkers.

Uses

Fainting goats are usually used for meat production. But you can also raise them to become your pets because of their characteristics.

Breed Profile Information

Breed Name	Fainting Goat
Other Name	Myotonic Goat, Tennessee Fainting, Tennessee Meat, Nervous, Stiff, Texas Wooden Leg, Stiff-Leg, Falling Goat and Scare Goats.
Breed Purpose	For Their Meat
Uses	Meat, Milk, and Pets
Size	Small
Height	Adult Bucks and Adult Does Height is around 17-25 inches
Weight	Adult Bucks and Adult Does Weight is around 60-174 pounds
Horns	Yes
Climate Tolerance	All Climates
Colors	Black and White, But They Can Also Have Other Colors
Life Expectancy	10-18 years
Temperament	Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Curious and Generally Quiet
Good for Stall Fed	Not Sure
Milk Production Per Day	Less Than 1 liter/day
Milk Fat Content	4-11%
Rarity	Rare
Country/Place of Origin	United States

Final Thoughts

We now understand that fainting goats are very good for meat production, but the problem with these goats when you raise them is they have a condition called myotonia congenita. Myotonia Congenita is a heredity condition where their muscle cells experience prolonged contraction when they get startled. If you are interested in raising them. They cost around $300-500 for pedigreed ones, while for unpedigreed ones they can cost around $200-$400.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is it bad for fainting goats to faint? Fainting goats faint is not absolutely bad or harmful to them. Their muscle cells only experience prolonged muscle contraction, not their nervous or cardiovascular systems.

What is the purpose of fainting goats? Fainting goats’ purpose is for their meat, but you can also use them as your pets.

What is wrong with fainting goats? They have a condition called myotonia congenita where their muscle cells experience prolonged contraction when they get startled.

Are fainting goats good pets? Fainting goats are very good pets because they are small, and they have good quality behavior towards humans.

What are fainting goats used for? Fainting goats are used for their meat. But you can use them for their milk and to become your pets.

Are fainting goats good for meat? Fainting goats are good for meat because their body is good for meat production and their meat is tender.

Are fainting goats healthy? Fainting goats are healthy goats, but their problem is they have a heredity condition called myotonia congenita where their muscle cells experience prolonged contraction when they get startled.

What kind of goat is a fainting goat? The fainting goat is a small breed of goats that are good for their meat production, with an unusual condition where their muscle cells experience prolonged contraction when they get startled.