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Friday, July 30, 2010
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Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over a century. |
Volume 135 Issue 30 |
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| | Email this article • Print this article | First Fainting Goats Born in Lincoln County
Kim Fletcher
More than a year ago, the Midcoast was introduced to the owners and livestock of the Stones Edge Farm in Newcastle, particularly farmer Darilyn Nelson's passion for goats. This winter, Nelson and her husband, Shawn Gregory, of Coastal Maine Wood Floors, have welcomed their first set of twin Tennessee Fainting Goat kids, a rare livestock breed, believing they are the only breeders of the goats in Lincoln County.
The origins of the breed are a bit sketchy, but Googling provides information that the goats trace back to the 1880s of Marshall County, Tennessee and a man named Tinsley, who brought to town a few goats, that he sold to R. Goode before departing the community.
Purportedly, today's Tennessee Fainting Goats are descended from those first few, and have been known predominantly for their meat. They are so named, because when frightened or startled, their muscles "lock-up" due to a genetically recessive trait, and they virtually fall over, but do not actually faint. Older goats tend to position themselves to lean against fences and barns to not fall over, so don't exhibit the actual falling trait as much as younger goats.
The goats were on the verge of extinction by the 1980s, but have made a resurgence and though no longer endangered, are considered a rare livestock breed.
Dwarf goats have been bred for years at Stones Edge Farm, but this is the first time they've bred the fainting goats, and the new Nelson-Gregory twins are a boy and girl, and though nursing multiple times daily, are already out with the herd munching on hay and springing around.
"Last year we had about 25 new kid-goats in the spring," said Gregory, "and this year, we expect about 40." Though Gregory calls them "pets" he expects the new spring kids will be available for sale.
In the June 29, 2006 issue, The Lincoln County News first reported on Nelson's goats visiting The Lincoln Home.
For more information on Tennessee Fainting Goats, also called "Nervous Goats" and "Stiff-legged" goats, go on the web, Googling "Tennessee Fainting Goats".
For more information about purchasing goats, call Coastal Maine Wood Floors at 563-5770.
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