You may have seen Tennessee goats that stiffened all of the sudden then fell over. Due to this habit, myotonic goats are called fainting goats, wooden leg goats, or stiff leg goats.
Just like any other goats, they’re kept for meat and milk. They can be expensive, but the upkeep cost is fairly low.
How much does a fainting goat cost? The price range of those with pedigree is from $300-$600 each. Pedigrees refer to the record of animal ancestry, and it’s proof of the breed’s authenticity. Considering buying fainting goats that are unpedigree are also acceptable. This is your way of saving some money in getting this goat species. The only missing part is the pedigree documentation. Each can cost a hundred dollars or three hundred dollars.
This is one of the few goat breeds that are indigenous to the United States. Thus, it’s also possible to get one or a pair of these goats for rehoming. You may find people giving them for free or asking for a small amount to refund for some expenses.
Apart from knowing the price before buying fainting goats, you have to be aware of the conditions of these animals. Therefore, spare some time reading the whole article.
What Are Fainting Goats? What Do They Look Like?
Since these goats are bred for their myotonic condition, they can be found in various sizes and colors. Most of them have a black and white coating. But hues like chocolate, red, gold, and blue also appear on some goats.
There are variations on faces and ears too. A buck has horns that grow outwards. Some hanging ringlets like Angora goats can also be seen on some fainting goats.
How Long Do Fainting Goats Live?
They can live from 10–18 years.
Why Do Fainting Goats Faint? What’s Wrong With Them?
Fainting goats don’t exactly faint. Their muscles become tense and stiff once they’re afraid or startled because of the genetic disorder called Thompson’s disease or myotonia congenita.
Stiffening of muscles is normal among non-myotonic animals. It’s a reaction when sensing a threat or hearing loud noises. But fainting goats have a different case as they fall over and stay lying on the ground for 5–20 seconds.
Is It Bad for Fainting Goats to Faint?
Based on the testimony of a farm owner who raises fainting goats, all the twitching makes the goat tougher. This painless occurrence can only last for a few seconds, and the goats don’t get hurt at all. It will only endanger them when they’re in the wild.
For instance, other animals run away from the predators, but fainting goats will be left behind because they stiffened for a few seconds. Hence, they can be easily captured and attacked.
How Old Are Goats When They Started Fainting?
Goats start having fainting syndrome around the age of 18–143 days.
Factors That Affect the Price of Fainting or Myotonic Goats
The price range of fainting goats was mentioned due to some factors that are listed below:
Age
Age is the basis of the price not only with fainting goats but with the rest of the goat species. Naturally, healthier and younger ones are sold at a higher price. Young, fertile goats are more expensive than those with less vigor on fertility. Note that goats in the age of two to three years are usually costly.
Gender
The female fainting goats are offered at a higher price because of their ability to produce offspring. The healthy, male ones can be expensive too, but the females are sold at a higher price due to their value.
Body Condition
For some obvious reasons, body condition affects the price of myotonic goats. Of course, healthier goats are more expensive than skinnier ones.
Weight
Compared to other goat species, this has a greater meat-bone ratio. Thus, weight is one of the factors in determining each goat’s price.
Where Should You Buy a Fainting Goat?
To set your expectation, fainting goats are hard to find. At least, it’s not impossible to get one or more.
The popular breeders in the USA are The International Fainting Goat Association, the Fainting Goat Registry, American Fainting Goat Organization, and the Myotonic Goat Registry. Apart from these organizations, Big Wheel Ranch and Golden Acre Ranch are also reputable breeders of these unusual goats.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Fainting Goat?
The total annual cost of raising a fainting goat is a thousand dollars. It’s a sum of what you spend on food and other essentials.
Food
To raise healthy goats, you have to feed them well. One goat can consume food that costs $15-$20 every year. There can be an increase if you add some kinds of supplements.
Medical Needs
The medical expenses depend on the health condition of your goats. You’ll only need to occasionally see the veterinarian if they don’t have health problems. But there are regular visits for deworming and hoof trimming.
The necessary deworming will depend on their lifestyle. Hoof trimming is crucial since they turn stiff for 20 seconds. Hence, you may need to pay $50 to $$250 for medical needs.
One-Time Expenses
The one-time cost is spent on the goat’s shelter, fence, watering pot, and feeder. Each goat should be given 250 feet square of space to live comfortably and happily.
An affordable fence that costs $50 will be fine. But you can also opt for the $600 version if your budget allows. The feeder and watering pot cost around $18-$45.
Is Raising a Fainting Goat Profitable?
Fainting goats are profitable as long as you plan and control your expenses. You also need to take care of them properly to keep them healthy. They’re one of the dependable breeds in meat production as they have more muscles due to their stiffening condition.
Due to the good quality of their meat, they’re in demand in the market. It won’t be a struggle to sell them, but it’s still best to plan your marketing strategy.
Is It Easy to Raise a Fainting Goat?
Fainting or myotopic goats are easy to raise because they’re fun-loving and sociable. Unlike other breeds, they’re not unruly. Moreover, they’re bad at climbing, jumping, and escaping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do People Actually Eat Fainting Goats?
It’s safe to eat the meat of fainting goats, so people eat it even though they’re not frequently slaughtered like other breeds. They’re tagged by The Livestock as ‘recovering’ as their number started to decline in 1988.
Are Fainting Goats a Good Pet?
Fainting goats are good pets like dogs and cats. Their looks and temperament make them interesting to humans. Also, their condition makes them unique.
What Is the Purpose of Fainting Goats?
As mentioned, fainting goats are great meat producers and good pets. Unfortunately, they act as ‘sacrificial lambs’ due to their stiffening condition. They unintentionally protect the herd on a farm.
When a predator like coyotes and wolves attack, other animals run to save themselves while fainting goats lie down and stay rigid. The predator will just focus on the unmoving goat. This gives other animals a leeway to escape.
Do Fainting Goats Live Long?
The myotonic condition of fainting goats doesn’t hurt or harm them so they can live for up to 18 years.
Do Fainting Goats Grow Out Fainting?
As they get older, they learn how to keep themselves from falling when the tensing of muscles takes place. They would try to lean on some objects to not slump on the ground. Some of them even learn how to spread their legs for support. Unbelievably, you’ll see some old ones that move around with stiff legs.
Why Does My Fainting Goat Not Faint?
The severity of the myotonic condition varies from goat to goat. They will have the symptoms when they’re startled or scared. But the symptoms dwindle over time, and as they get older, they adapt with them.
The older ones can manage to prevent themselves from falling over in every episode. Some are familiar with their surroundings, so they’re not prone to get startled anymore. So, symptoms will not likely occur.
Summary
Once you get interested in this goat breed, you can’t help but ask, “How much does a fainting goat cost?” You should also know how to raise them and most especially, their condition.
They don’t faint. They just fall over because their muscles become tense. If you understand their behavior, you won’t panic when they become stiff. Even so, they learn how to manage every episode as they get older.
