Yesterday I promised more about our new acquisitions to the farm, Thelma and Louise. They are nine week old Tennessee Fainting Goats also known as Myotonic Goats. This breed is listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. They get the name due to a unique trait that makes them stiffen and sometimes fall over if frightened, excited or startled. They do not “faint” in the true sense of the word, just their muscles contract but they remain conscious. They are a relatively small goat and are said to be easier keepers due to the myotonia. It makes them less likely to challenge fences and do some of the crazy antics of other goat breeds. I’ll have to get back to you about that when they get bigger. I was just looking for a goat that wouldn’t tear down fences, escape, and knock me down on a daily basis. In defense of all the goats that came before them, I have to acknowledge that they usually knocked me down to rifle my pockets looking for cookies. I don’t plan to get these two hooked on cookies. I’ll have to get back to you on that too.
Thelma is a little more outgoing and confident than her sister Louise. She has more black markings and is a tiny but bigger.
Louise is a little shy and has one large black eye patch and one small black eye patch. Other wise she is all white.
For the time being, they are being housed in the fenced and covered chicken run. I put some straw in the little hospital coop and they made it their home right away, quickly learning to climb the ramp. Note to self: finish painting it.
They weren’t sure what to think about the chickens at first and the chickens were equally perplexed.
Soon they were all one big dysfunctional farm family.
There was much to explore on the new farm, like the automatic pop door to the chicken house.
The chickens didn’t seem to mind a bit.
When the shoe was on the other foot is wasn’t so simple. A few chickens decided to relax in the new goat coop. Thelma and Louise were not happy.
Thelma ridded their coop of the baby chickens in no time.
They had lots more adventures. They explored Fig Tree Hill.
Were hand fed alfalfa by a sylish 13 year old.
Held and petted by a 17 year old.
But mostly they did THIS!
Tennessee Fainting goats may be easy keepers but the same cannot be said for the teenagers. They are out of school for President’s WEEK? What’s up with that? It wasn’t like that when I walked five miles in the snow to school. But, like it or not they were here for two days.
They drove the ATV like maniacs.
Annoyed Jack.
But it was all worth it when the 13 year old decided to sit on the outdoor chicken roost.
Makes you believe in a higher power, doesn’t it?