A New Addition to the South West Farm
A farm stay in the South West has become the proud home of Western Australia’s first fainting goats, following the arrival of a breeding pair from New South Wales. These unique animals, known as myotonic goats, are an American breed that has captured the attention of internet users for years due to their distinctive trait.
The Unique Traits of Myotonic Goats
Myotonic goats are characterized by a hereditary condition that causes their legs to seize up when they are startled or excited, resulting in them toppling over or “fainting.” This peculiar behavior has made them a source of amusement online and has led to numerous viral videos since the early days of the internet and social media.
The new arrivals, named Dora and Dwayne, are still getting used to their new environment in the South West. Kevin Kelly, who owns a holiday accommodation business on their hobby farm in Busselton, about 220 kilometers south of Perth, first encountered the goats through a YouTube video.
A Unique Collection of Animals
Alongside Dora and Dwayne, the farm is home to a variety of other animals, including donkeys and highland cattle. According to Amber Kelly, Kevin’s wife, the decision to bring the goats to their farm was driven by a genuine affection for the animals rather than a desire for entertainment.
“Kevin just fell in love with them. He thought they were really funny,” she said. However, she emphasized that it’s a common misconception that the goats are constantly falling over.
“I actually haven’t seen them [faint],” Ms. Kelly noted. “Dora had a little fainting episode where my husband came around a corner and she got a little fright.”
She also mentioned that the goats do not behave like a freak show. “If you want a freak show, they’re not your goat; they’ve got more dignity than that … that’s not why we got them.”
This sentiment was echoed by the ABC, which observed neither Dora nor Dwayne fainting over several hours of filming.
Understanding the Fainting Mechanism
The reason behind the goats’ unusual behavior can be traced back to a genetic mutation. Paul Hamilton, a breeder based in New South Wales, introduced the breed to Australia in 2015 by importing embryos from Tennessee, USA.
According to Mr. Hamilton, the fainting is caused by a genetic condition that affects the goats’ muscle contractions. “They basically have two contractions for every one relaxation if they get stressed,” he explained. “If they get a couple of those impulses going on together, they just lock up and over.”
Mr. Hamilton currently owns a herd of about 60 of these goats in NSW, with Dora and Dwayne being the only other two in the country. He clarified that the fainting is not painful for the goats. “They’re not squawking or screaming or I don’t feel that the heartbeat’s racing when they fall over,” he said.
However, he expressed disapproval of videos that depict the goats fainting continuously. “It’s not something which they’re going to do unless they’re really highly stressed,” he added.
A History of Breeding
Originally bred for their meat, myotonic goats have a distinctive and pleasant taste. Mr. Hamilton’s interest in these goats stems from their muscling pattern and their potential as a true meat goat. “My attraction to Tennessee meat goats is more their muscling pattern and what they can do to make a true meat goat,” he said.
The Kellys, however, have no intention of using Dwayne and Dora for meat. Instead, they plan to keep them as pets for breeding purposes.
