fainting goats

[IRescue452]

I think its kinda sad too. Its the result of breeding for a trait that would be otherwise deadly if the goat weren't in captivity. I'm sure their are other side effects of this breeding. It makes me think of waltzing mice (mice bred to have inner ear problems so they "dance" for life, and most die within a few weeks of birth)

[ratdogg]

there are A LOT of traits that would be deadly if the animal wasn't in captivity....not just fainting goats. i was simply trying to post a cute vid that i thought was funny

and these goats serve a very specific purpose. they help serve as an indicator when there is a threat to other goats in the herd. They are responsible for helping keep other goats alive. It's not really sad at all.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jimknapp/goats.html

[CathyBogart]

Traits that would be deadly if the animal wasn't in captivity??

How about brachiocephalic noses (pug, boxer, Persian)? Or any albino animal? Or hairless dogs/cats/rats/guinea pigs/hamsters/mice? Or super short legs in an animal that was once a carnivore? Or miniature animals? Or crummy teeth?

There are loads of traits we breed into animals that make them totally unfit for life in the wild. That's why we call them 'domesticated' animals.

I like the fainting goats. It's a neat trait, it doesn't seem to bother them at all, and it once served a useful purpose.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

goats are so cute !!!

[Marigold2]

Oh my, this is not such a good idea. If another animal is chasing them such as a fox or even a dog they faint and have no defense at all. I don't like this idea.

[Chilli]

I completely see both sides of the conversation, though this trait in fainting goats doesn't bother me. I do find it rather annoying when people constantly scare the goats just to watch them fall over.
I think fainting goats are cute. :] My friend's parents used to raise goats, and they had one fainting goat that was the sweetest goat I had ever been around.

[Twisterdog]

... I do find it rather annoying when people constantly scare the goats just to watch them fall over ...

That's exactly what I meant ... not that the goat having the trait in and of itself was sad, but the goats constantly being frightened for the amusement of people is sad.

[CathyBogart]

Oh my, this is not such a good idea. If another animal is chasing them such as a fox or even a dog they faint and have no defense at all. I don't like this idea.

If you read the second article ratdogg posted, you'll see that that is exactly why the trait was reproduced in the first place. It sucks for the fainting goat, but it IS an effective defense for the rest of the flock.

[Genny]

I, too, don't like it when you see people just scare them to see them fall over, but it is neat and kinda cute. It's sad that they are used to keep the other goats safe, but they ARE keeping the other goats safe so I don't really see anything wrong with it I guess.

I LOVE all kinds of goats, but I've never been around one of this kind. Cute though