 Origin: Nova Scotia
Distribution: Small farms are breeding fainting goats in all regions of US for pets, companions and as a food source (as reported by lists of breeders in the TMG newsletter) but most focused breeding is occurring in TX and AZ where it is used as a meat breed.
Uses: Primarily used for meat
Status: Rare
Breed Features: The one feature common to all animals of this breed is myotonia congenital, which creates stiffness in their legs and neck which at times gives the goat the appearance of fainting although the action is not a true faint by medical terms. Animals are registered based on their degree of myotonia. Their other characteristics are extremely variable. Goats may weigh anywhere between 30 and 200 pounds, and coat patterns vary from solids to multi-colored to patterned animals. The kids grow quickly and does are prolific.
History: The original myotonic goats were four animals from Nova Scotia that arrived in Tennessee with a farm worker who moved on again, but not before the popularity of the stiff goats grew. This popularity was due to the prolific nature of the does and the rapid growth of kids, in addition to the inability of the animals to climb out of fenced pastures. The breed is known by many names, including the Tennessee Fainting Goat, Tennessee Meat Goat and Texas Wooden Leg Goat. The strains from Texas have been selected for meat production, while other strains have been bred along more traditional lines. In spite of growing interest in the breed, Tennessee Myotonic Goats are still endangered.
Breed Associations:
American Tennessee Fainting Goat Association
R.R. 4, Box 4100
Houlton, ME 04730
International Fainting Goat Association
2455 Deanburg Road - Pinson, TN 38366
(712) 853-6372
www.faintinggoat.com
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