Miniature Silky Fainting Goats
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About Miniature Silky Fainting GoatsAbout Miniature Silky Fainting Goats



Miniature Silky Fainting Goats are a unique breed of goat. They are smaller and somewhat easier to care for and maintain than larger meat goat breeds, which makes the fainting goat desirable for smaller farms. Fainting goats have many other names, including Myotonic Goats, Tennessee (Meat) Goats, Nervous Goats, Stiff-leg Goats, Wooden-leg Goats, and Tennessee Fainting Goats.

Although Miniature Silky Fainting Goats are listed as a meat breed, the primary goal is to have a beautiful, silky-haired goat to show. Meat is not a goal of this breed. While good conformation is expected ~ this breed is predominately about the silky coat. They are generally friendly, intelligent, easy to keep, and amusing.

The "Fainting Goat" myth was tested on the U.S. television show Mythbusters. Fainting goats have a muscle condition called myotonia congenita. This is a condition which occurs in many species, including humans. The goats do not truly "faint" in any sense of the word, as they never lose consciousness because of their myotonia. They remain fully conscious.   They are are generally 43 to 64 cm (17 to 25 in) tall and can weigh anywhere from 27 to 79 kg (60 to 174 lb). Bucks can be as heavy as 200 pounds. They have large, prominent eyes in high sockets. Their hair can be short or long, with certain individuals producing a great deal of cashmere during colder months. Common coat colors include black and white; however, most possible coat colors are found in this breed.

This breed is listed as threatened by The Livestock Conservancy, so the fainting goat is not used as often for meat as other goat breeds; its rarity makes the live goat more valuable. Fainting Goats are specifically specialized for smaller production operations as they are unable to challenge fences as vigorously as larger meat goat breeds. This is due in part to their smaller size and also because of the myotonia. Their size makes them easier to care for during chores such as foot trimming and administering medication. Smaller specimens of fainting goats are frequently kept as pets.

Besides the myotonia, another distinguishing feature of the fainting goat is its prominently set eyes. The eyes protrude from the eye sockets, as opposed to recessed eyes seen in other breeds. The profile is straight as opposed to the convex or "roman" profile.

Even though some people breed these animals for pets or to have smaller sized meat goats, "fainting" is a disorder that producers of other breeds try to keep out of their herds' bloodlines, unless they are purposely raising goats to have the fainting trait.


Miniature Silky Fainting Goats Associations

Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association - msfgaregistry.org