Why does my Nigerian Dwarf goat faint?

[MiniSilkys]

No I don't have any papers. I was told they were mini silkys, but now I know they are not.
This was my very first mini doe. She was 3.

This is my buck. He was 5 or 6 months when I bought him. He came from the sister of the doe above. I did not see his sire as he had been sold.

This was from a few days after I brought them home.

These are my doe's from the above pair.

 

[Ridgetop]

Actually, I was asking Wendybear if she had the registration papers from the breeder on her goats. Since the breeder sold them as registered (or registerable) Nigerian Dwarfs she should have given the paperwork to Wendybear when she bought them. If so, and Wendy posts a photo of the paperwork, then OFA and Southern (who breed Nigerians) might be able to tell her something. My experience is in standard size ADGA dairy milkers, not the dwarf breeds.

Minisilky: Your goats are very cute. Are mini silkies a variety of Pygmy goat? Or are they a new breed?

 

[MiniSilkys]

Oh, sorry. I should have known that. Mini Silkys are a fairly new breed started in the early 2000's. They are a cross of long haired Nigerian Dwarf and long haired Tennessee Fainting Goat.

 

[Ridgetop]

That is really interesting. So do your silkies have the myonotonic gene that cause them to faint?

 

[MiniSilkys]

Well, like I said, I have realized that my goats are not silky's. My dam looks like she was a pygmy. But Silky's are beautiful goats bred for their long silky hair that can reach the ground. Think of the silky terrier. Some faint and some don't. The breeding is not about the fainting but about the looks. Very expensive. Some sell for $1200. Just google Mini Silky Fainting Goat.

 

[Ridgetop]

Interesting. They sound like they need a lost of grooming! I am replacing my Dorset sheep with Dorper sheep because Dorpers shed their wool and don't need to be shorn.

 

[MiniSilkys]

I believe they do. You just have to see them. They are beautiful. Some have bangs and long cheek muffs. They come in all sorts of colors even blue.

Picture from bing.

http://www.blessedgreenpastures.com/sitebuilder/images/P1040564-317x310.jpg He was 10 months old.

 

[Ridgetop]

Very cute but look like they would be difficult to keep in an area with dry brush or burrs. Is the hair used for spinning or anything?

 

[MiniSilkys]

I don't think so .