About this episode
It's probably safe to say that everyone has heard of fainting goats, which are more correctly called myotonic goats, and they don't actually faint. Today we are separating fact from fiction in our conversation with Phil Sponenberg, DVM, Ph.D. of Virginia Tech who has been breeding myotonics for 30 years. He is also the technical advisor for The Livestock Conservancy, which has the myotonic goat on the "recovering" section of the Conservation Priority List, where the breed was originally considered critically endangered. Dr. Sponenberg discusses the history of the myotonic goat and what exactly is a "fainting goat." Although you can milk any goat, this breed is primarily a meat goat. If you've thought about goats but were scared off by the idea that they are loud and hard to keep fenced in, then a myotonic might be the breed for you. They are quieter than some breeds, and that same medical condition that causes them to faint also means that they can't jump or climb fences. But if you are strictly considering the myotonic because you wanted to be entertained by fainting goats, then you might want to reconsider because "fainting" really doesn't happen that often. Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/fainting-goats/ To see the most recent episodes, visit ForTheLoveOfGoats.com Want to support the content you love? Head over to -- https://thrifty-homesteader.ck.page/products/love-goats-tip-jar Thanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar . No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information. 🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership 🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy 🔹 Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store . Happy goat-keeping! 🐐