It seems to be the novelty of the trait itself that has kept this breed popular worldwide in recent decades, reversing the threat of its extinction in the early 1900s

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LAWRENCE, KS – Associated Press - Wayne and Kathy Gillett have to be careful around their kids -- they never know when one might faint.

The month-old "fainting goats" the McLouth couple keep on part of their 20 acres are especially prone to the muscle seizures this rare breed is known for.

The least likely of triggers -- such as an opening umbrella or the sound of footsteps from behind -- could startle Blake, Andy and Anabella. And then there are the obvious stimulants, such as when Wayne, a retired plumber, drives his tractor near their fence.

In a matter of seconds, it's as if a drunken stupor sets in.

First, the goats flee. Then one will stumble and drop onto its side, with legs and head erect, fully conscious.

Another will freeze mid-sprint when its hind and front legs have met under her stomach and be stuck in this position for 10 to 15 seconds.

The origin of the fainting goats is unknown, and there is speculation they might carry a recessive gene that causes myotonia congenita, a condition that causes muscle stiffness.

Despite the mystery, it seems to be the novelty of the trait itself that has kept this breed popular worldwide in recent decades, reversing the threat of its extinction in the early 1900s.

In the United States, thousands of fainting goats are kept as pets, to breed or for meat.

The Gilletts adopted their first nanny, named Annie, about three years ago via a breeder in Valley Falls after a Lawrence man was told he couldn't have her within city limits.

Kathy, who grooms dogs at Shampooch in Kansas City, Kan., didn't realize then how endearing Annie and her offspring would become.

"You become their herd. They graze nearby like a dog," she said. "I can't believe how in love with them I can be.

"People get them because of their temperament," she said. "Not a lot of insects bother them, they are healthy animals and they are easy to keep, especially in a small area."

Five years ago, Darell Clumpke, vice president of the International Fainting Goat Association, bought two goats at an exotic animal sale in Mecca, Mo., for $35 each. He bred them and now has 30 registered goats on his 10 acres in Emporia. He said he sells them across the Midwest for about $250.

"When you sell them when they're registered, they're worth more," Clumpke said. "I make enough to pay the feed bills over time, but I don't make money. It's more a hobby than anything else. It's a lot of fun."

He even has people drive by his farm and ask just to see the goats, he said.

Stephanie Dicke of Columbus, Neb., is secretary of the fainting goat association. She said the goats' history is undocumented, but it is believed that in the early 1800s, a migrant farm worker from Nova Scotia, Canada, appeared in Marshall County, Tenn., with four fainting goats.

She said the man worked for a doctor, and when he left the state, he left the goats. The doctor tried to perpetuate the breed, she said.

His efforts were a success at the time, namely for ranchers who began using the breed as "sacrificial goats."

Ruth Prentice, the goat association's treasurer, said the fainters risked extinction because they were the first to go when a predator lurked on the ranchers' property to attack unsuspecting valuable cattle.

"A predator is not going to chase something when one has dropped at its feet," she said.

The science behind the novel trait doesn't seem to matter to breeders, especially Eddie Taylor, 51.

His grandfather raised fainters in the 1920s, and he has followed suit on his 120 acres in Louisburg.

"I hear people talk about studies done on them," Taylor said. "I don't know why they are the way they are; God made them the way they are."

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More about Fainting Goats and Myotonia:

According to The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy the Fainting Goat is considered to be rare because there is fewer than 1000 annual North American registration and estimated less than 5000 in their global population.

Fainting Goats are known by many descriptive names such as Stiff-Leg, Wooden-Leg and Tennessee Scared Goat. History reveals that in the early 1800s a farm worker from Novia Scotia appeared in Marshall County, Tennessee, with three nannies and a billy that fainted. The farm hand was a very quiet man and never revealed any information about his peculiar goats. He eventually left town selling his four goats to Dr. H. H. Mayberry. Dr. Mayberry propagated his new goats and tried his best, without any luck, to research their history. Because of the unique traits, that are hereditary, he was convinced they were a breed.

Myotonia is the condition which causes Fainting Goats to stiffen and fall over when startled. This condition lasts for ten to fifteen seconds, after which time the animal will rise and walk off stiff. After a short time, the stiffness will disappear and they will walk and act like any other goat. This myotonic state only affects the goats external muscles, so they are fully conscious and aware while in faint.

Even though Dr. Mayberrys original goats were black and white, today all colors exist. Fainting Goats generally have large and prominent eyes, also known as bug-eyed. Their temperament is very laid back and gentle. They are excellent mothers and kidders. Fainting Goats are easy to raise and the myotonis makes them easy to contain. They can be a great meat animal (ours are pets) and are safe for children and neighbors.

Branch Creek Farms