Why fainters?

Jillis · #1 07/02/06, 12:05 PM

I am curious as to why anyone would want a goat that stiffens up and "faints" when it is frightened or otherwise emotionally stimulated. It doesn't seem to me to ba a desirable characteristic. It is something I would cull for if it happened in my herd.
I am not asking this in a nasty way, just wondering what it is about this trait that causes folks to breed for it. Are there other, very desirable traits linked to it?

Thanks!

trob1 · #2 07/02/06, 01:08 PM

They are a meat breed and the muscle condition they have that causes them to look as if they have fainted make for mass muscles. Lots of muscles means more meat!

homebirtha · #3 07/02/06, 02:56 PM

They are also, in general, easy to keep fenced, since they often faint when they step up or over something. They are also extremely hardy and parasite resistant.

TexCountryWoman · #4 07/02/06, 03:51 PM

There are people who like to keep a few fainters in with there other goats so that if predators get after their goats, they will get the fainters, allowing the "better" goats to escape. In other words, they are sacraficed as decoys.

dezeeuwgoats · #5 07/02/06, 04:58 PM

Decoys? omigosh.

Niki

kath2003 · #6 07/02/06, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexCountryWoman

There are people who like to keep a few fainters in with there other goats so that if predators get after their goats, they will get the fainters, allowing the "better" goats to escape. In other words, they are sacraficed as decoys.

Now I'm sure when you said "better" goat you ment that in a matter of opinion!

Idahoe · #7 07/02/06, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath2003

Now I'm sure when you said "better" goat you ment that in a matter of opinion!

If you have dairy goats or fiber goats, I suppose a fainter would be, er, "lesser". Still . . .

kath2003 · #8 07/02/06, 05:39 PM

Why? A registered Myotonic meat goat is worth 3-400.00 easy!

homebirtha · #9 07/02/06, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idahoe

If you have dairy goats or fiber goats, I suppose a fainter would be, er, "lesser". Still . . .

LOL. Not around here. I can't give away my registered (from really good lines too) dairy goats or their kids, but I the fainter kids are basically all sold before they hit the ground, without even trying.

I have heard stories that shepherds USED TO keep a fainter with their sheep for the purpose of a decoy, but I doubt anyone would do that these days. They're worth too much money and there are much better ways to protect the other goats.

dezeeuwgoats · #10 07/03/06, 09:12 PM

I prefer my decoys with TEETH! LOL My anatolian seems to melt right into the ground with his fawn coloring. Blends in with my stucco house too - has startled more than one type of predator!

Niki

TexCountryWoman · #11 07/04/06, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath2003

Now I'm sure when you said "better" goat you ment that in a matter of opinion!

Yes, I meant "better" as a matter of opinion, LOL! But that is what fainters are sometimes used for. I have not looked for fainters around here real recently, but there were always alot around before, so they were not considered rare, uncommon or expensive.

MoonShine · #12 07/04/06, 11:48 PM

I saw a tv program about fainting goats awhile back. I had never heard of them and at first,I thought they were slipping in the gravels they were running through. It was the weirdest thing to see. Really interesting,though.

tinetine'sgoat · #13 07/05/06, 07:59 AM

Hate to admit it, but they just make me laugh.

A friend of ours had one and everytime the wind blew wrong *bloop* down it went. I laughed and laughed... My hubby said I can't have one, cause I'm to honery and the poor goats heart couldn't take living with me.