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Nine Acres Farm is located just west of Adel, IA and is home to many animals including horses, ponies, dogs and cats but in 2016 I decided to add goats to my menagerie.
I did a lot of research on goats comparing different breeds and their unique characteristics and finally decided on Myotonic goats for their size and friendly nature. Goats are wonderful but are not the tin can eating animals you hear about in stories. I grew up riding horses and starting when I was around 14 took charge of their care, learning to give shots, about nutrition, and how to spot and care for multiple health issues. Getting my first goat I was not concerned with their care because of my background taking care of my horses but I quickly realized that even with livestock knowledge, goat care has a steep learning curve! I suggest doing some reading online, joining goat Facebook forums, finding a veterinarian close to you that is goat knowledgeable (not always easy), and finding a mentor before bringing goats into your life. Once you decide to purchase goats, I’ll warn you – they are addictive! Goats are funny and curious animals. There are many different breeds of goats and I personally chose Myotonics because of their physical appearance, they are typically easier to contain than other breeds, are a meat goat but milk well, and are considered to be a multi-purpose breed. |
So what is a Myotonic goat? Myotonics are also commonly referred to as Fainting Goats due to their tendency to become stiff-legged and freeze or fall over into what looks like a faint when surprised. This “fainting” does not harm them, and is not really a faint, but a tightening of their muscles. They are fully awake and aware when they are frozen and the freeze normally lasts between 5-15 seconds. Most goats learn to brace themselves as they age so they don’t actually fall, but will become stiff-legged and frozen for a short time. Some will even learn to run in a stiff-legged shuffle/bounce movement.
Myotonic goats don’t have a breed standard like many animals. The Myotonic Goat Registry, which is the largest Myotonic goat registry today, has a breed description, and that is what I follow as a breeder. The most common characteristic and hallmark of the Myotonic breed is the muscle condition called myotonia congenita, which causes the freeze and/or “faint”. As a breeder I want to maintain the integrity of the Myotonic breed, and part of that is breeding for myotonia congenita. I do not breed specifically to increase the likelihood my goats will faint, but I do consider it to be one part of the whole goat.
As a breeder I also strive to continue breeding other characteristics that make Myotonic goats such wonderful animals to have around. Those include:
And my personal reasons for owning the breed – as mentioned, they are easy to contain and are easier on fencing and structures than other breeds; they are typically very friendly, easy to catch/handle, are easy keepers, and very personable.
More information about the breed and their breed description can be found at http://www.myotonicgoatregistry.net/
As you look around my site, please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Thank you,
Nikki
Myotonic goats don’t have a breed standard like many animals. The Myotonic Goat Registry, which is the largest Myotonic goat registry today, has a breed description, and that is what I follow as a breeder. The most common characteristic and hallmark of the Myotonic breed is the muscle condition called myotonia congenita, which causes the freeze and/or “faint”. As a breeder I want to maintain the integrity of the Myotonic breed, and part of that is breeding for myotonia congenita. I do not breed specifically to increase the likelihood my goats will faint, but I do consider it to be one part of the whole goat.
As a breeder I also strive to continue breeding other characteristics that make Myotonic goats such wonderful animals to have around. Those include:
- Docile personalities
- Easy breeders and good mothers
- parasite resistant
And my personal reasons for owning the breed – as mentioned, they are easy to contain and are easier on fencing and structures than other breeds; they are typically very friendly, easy to catch/handle, are easy keepers, and very personable.
More information about the breed and their breed description can be found at http://www.myotonicgoatregistry.net/
As you look around my site, please feel free to contact me with any questions!
Thank you,
Nikki
Unless otherwise noted, all goats at Nine Acres Farm are registered with the Myotonic Goat Registry.
