Welcome to our web site! I'm glad you stopped by. You'll find lots of facts about us and our Fainting goats here.
Kids in the sun
B's Barn Farm ( BBF ) is located in Burkesville, Cumberland County, Kentucky, in the south central region of the State. We are 12 miles from the
B's Barn ( BBF ) has been breeding Myotonic goats since 1997 when we first fell in love with this breed. We raise only Myotonic's and we do not crossbreed . We are members of the Kentucky Goat Producers Assoc. (K.G.P.A), Myotonic Goat Registry (MGR) ,and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC). Most of B's Barn ( BBF ) breeding stock is dual registered with the MGR and the IFGA. We believe that in registering our goats that we are providing a tracking system to the genetics of that goat. Because the numbers of the Myotonic/Fainter are considered "Threatened" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, we feel, that by registering we help provide needed information on this breed.
All kids born at B's Barn ( BBF ) are registered with the MGR. The MGR is a registry that is working to preserve this wonderful breed of goat by being supportive and working hard with breeders across the country to help promote the breed. I highly recommend in joining and registering with the MGR. http://www.myotonicgoatregistry.net
B's Barn Fainters are bred by the Breed Standards and we are proud of our quality stock. We breed for blue eyes and have a variety of hair colors and coats. We have polled and horned and our Fainters come in two sizes. We have the medium/pet type which weighs at 50 lb. or so. We also have meat industry stock that is in the 100+ lb (does ) and up size. We have several genetics and/or farms that our breeding stock have originated from.
Fainting goats are a landrace breed, started in 1880, as far as documentation can tell. A Landrace breed is a local breed. Fainters have a distinctive look in addition to the myotonia gene. Generally they have large and prominent eyes also know as bug-eyed. The predominate color is black & white.
We would like you to know that the Fainter is considered parasitic resistant, an easy kidder and good mother, low consumption of food, are considered a quiet breed and make wonderful pets for the family.
Fainters are considered a meat goat and their milk can make some wonderful cheeses.
Because of their Myotonia they are easy to contain behind a fence.
Come on ma! I want some milk.
The Myotonic is known as a calm quiet breed and because of this trait make wonderful pets. For pets the wethers(castrated bucks) make the best children friendly pets. In looking for a pet you may decide to have your wether polled (naturally hornless) as some states do not allow children under the age of 9 to show goats with horns. We do not disbud our kids and prefer not to. We prefer the horns as they make great handles to steer your goat. You can, as the goat gets older, have the tips removed and rounded down.
Like in any situation safety is always first. Teach your children to respect the horns as accidents can happen. Words of caution though, please do not keep your goats with collars on or tied up somewhere without supervision. It is very possible that 2 goats will wrestle and their horns will get inside each others collars. As they twist and turn one or both will strangle due to the collars tightening around their necks. To tie a goat can also lead to troubles as they can climb, jump and hang themselves by the chain.
MYOTONIA
is the condition which causes Fainting goats to stiffen or fall over when startled. This condition lasts for ten to fifteen seconds and then the fainter will rise and walk off stiff. This is caused by a release of a chemical (calcium)in the muscle in which more than is needed is release.
In most animals, this release of calcium causes us to flee but in the myotonic the amount of calcium causes them to get stiff. After a short time the stiffness disappears and they will walk like any other goat. This myotonic state only affects the goats external muscles, so they are fully conscious and aware while in a faint
There are different degrees of myotonia. Some goats completely fall over and stay down for about 10-15 seconds. Others will not fall down but their legs will become very stiff and rigid making it very hard for them to walk. Most adult myotonic's have learned to brace themselves when they feel the myotonia coming on. Their legs will be stretched out or spread wide apart to balance better with. Kids have been myotonic as early as 4 days old as they get a bit older the myotonia is more prevalent.
We at B's Barn believe in the health of our herd and had testing done in May of 2006. We tested for Johnes, CL and for CAE. We are happy to report that all the stock at B's Barn has been tested negative for these diseases. We tested again in November of 2006 for Johnes and have negative results. B's Barn anticipates closing our herd as of May of 2007. The kids that have been brought into our farm before this closing have either been tested or their dams have been tested. We believe that we are able to say that we have a negative tested herd. We are not comfortable in stating that we have a "disease free" herd as birds and other animals can bring in bacteria and viruses on their feet.
We do feel comfortable in letting our buyers know that they can feel confident that their purchases will have been tested or come from dams that have been tested.
B's Barn kidding season usually starts November and is in full swing by April of the year. We do keep a Waiting List of buyers and recommend that you ask to be placed on our list if you are thinking of purchasing a Fainter from B's Barn Farm .
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