Kidding Around

In my search to find livestock for the pending wellness farm. I set my sights on fainting goats. Yes! Fainting goats. If you have not heard of these fascinating little creatures, please follow along so you can become just as fascinated with these adorable farm animals, as I am. Fainting goats, officially known as myotonic goats or Tennessee fainting goats.  These intriguing little creatures have a hereditary condition that causes them to stiffen and fall over, appearing to faint when startled.

Now, I would love to be able to claim that over the course of several years, that this obsession has led me to dive into research about these divine curious creatures. But let’s be honest, it’s really been watching video after video laughing at them as they are startled stiff and tip over.  I mean, have you seen the videos? Freaking hilarious! 

But hold off on the judgment train. I know you are thinking, you’re just gonna get some quirky goat for your farm that you know nothing about, just because it makes you laugh? Listen, it’s not a BAD idea. There does need to be entertainment. But I am seeking multifunctional, so the investigation continues.  I mean, really, that’s the whole point of this blog, is to research things that I THINK I want to have at my wellness farm. So, let’s keep going and see what I have learned. 

You may wonder, how do you go about locating these fine little freaks of nature? Well, I have talked and talked about them for years. They seem to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. And eventually, one day at work, I was spewing my nonsense about this weird little fascination of mine and low and behold a co-worker, said “You want to see fainting goats? My family has them. I can arrange something”. When I tell you I lost my mind, that may be an understatement. The excitement that flooded my body is indescribable. If I was a fainting goat, I would have fallen flat on the ground at that moment.  Finally! This dream was coming true!

I have to say experiencing it live was interesting and honestly made me feel a little sad when the furry guy went down. It let out a bleep and sort of twitched as it laid there trying to regain control, before finally recovering.  Thankfully, it was short lived, and it quickly jumped right back up. As he fully recovered, I set all guilt aside, and I allowed myself to have a good chuckle. Once again resuming my mission to repeat this, all while getting it on video for you all. 

Unfortunately, the more seasoned goats are not as easily startled. So, if you don’t surprise them from the get-go, the opportunity may be lost. Still, we managed to trigger a couple. 

*Side note: I am most definitely NOT a professional photographer or videographer and on top of that, I am easily excited, therefore missing opportunities to get you a good video. I promise I am working on ways to be better at this for future blogs.

Dexter jumped in, channeling his inner border collie and began to herd the group of goats. (I was hoping to add something insightful on what a group of goats is called, unfortunately, it’s just a herd *cue for disappointing sound effects – wee wonk.) However, it was a proud mama moment, knowing he will be an amazing farm dog! My heart was swollen with pride.

My fondness for goats continues… They are the sweetest little things.

I continued my research after my visit.  Knowing that goats have a bad reputation for being escape artists as well as destroyers of stuff, but also knowing I think they’re so darn cute. I can’t imagine having a wellness farm without them. 

What are the benefits and are they greater than the drawbacks?

First of all, I learned that fainting goats are a good breed for small acreage and make adorable lawnmowers.  As they are a smaller goat and the hereditary disorder that makes them stiffen up and fall over also prohibits them from jumping high like other goats.  This makes confining them much easier.

Secondly, I learned that milking them is definitely doable, milk production is lower than those who are bred for this purpose, but because as we learned from Greg on Meet the Fockers, they have nipples so we can milk them…

All in all, I am definitely keeping fainting goats in the “to get” pile for the wellness farm.

It was such a great experience and I got to snuggle a few cuties.  I am excited to continue visiting this farm. It’s local to where I am currently residing and have been offered an open invitation! From what I remember from high school English, this is “foreshadowing”. Hint, you may be seeing more on goats in the future. 

Thank you to the Eickhoff family for allowing me this opportunity and helping to support me in this portion of what some refer to as my “pipe dream”.