Miniature Silky Fainting Goats Information

Breed Description

Bred to resemble a Silky Terrier, Mini Silkies should have long flowing body coats, bangs, muffs on their cheeks, beards, and abundant hair on their necks and chests that blends with the body coat. Coats should have high luster and a silky texture, sparking when they catch the sunlight. Bucks typically have more body coat and heavier bangs than does, though does often seem more elegant as a result. Ideally, bucks measure 23.5 inches at the withers, with 22.5 inches being ideal for does.

History

The Mini Silky breed was developed in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s by crossing Tennessee Fainting Goats with long-haired Nigerian Dwarf stock. Because fainting goats figure heavily in their backgrounds, most Mini Silkies exhibit varying degrees of myotonia, a muscle condition that causes them to stiffen or fall over when startled or overly excited. However, not all faint, but carry a gene for myotonia that will likely express itself in future generations. Mini Silkies are not required to faint, since breeders are primarily focused on producing a certain physical appearance rather than fainting ability. However, though varying in level of myotonic ability, We do not pay attention if they faint or not. And while yes, it is sort of hysterical to watch when they do faint, we never intentionally scare or startle our goats to make them faint. Besides, they do a pretty good job of startling or exciting each other at play while we sit back and witness their comical melodrama.