• Lookout Mountain Goats

About Lookout Mountain Goats

About twenty years ago, atop Lookout Mountain in North Georgia, we sold our cattle and purchased our first goats.

Like most newcomers to goats, we purchased beautiful Boer goats which derived in South Africa in the dry desert areas. As was the experience of most new owners, we watched them develop copious worm loads, forget to care for their offspring, and fail miserably. At the 16th goat burial, we sold the Boer goats at auction.

Next we bought a few Kiko goats at the recommendation of the county agents. They proved to be healthy, but tall and skinny, like the milk goats from which they came. We cross-bred them to improve them and soon sold the herd.

FINALLY, we found the answer—MYOTONIC GOATS (often called Fainting goat), a landrace breed which originated as feral goats in Tennessee in the 1800’s within 50 miles of our house

We purchased the best individuals available, going from Tennessee to Texas to Florida to Missouri, and buying from Dan Parker, Bending Tree Ranch, Onion Creek Ranch, Coyote Creek Ranch, Ravens Rest, Wolf River Ranch , HALR and more. Those names are still in the pedigrees. The first individuals in a herd are the most important.

Our herd now consists of about 23 does, 11 yearlings females, 18 weanling females, 20 yearling bucklings and a few bucks.

What are myotonic goats?

MYOTONIC GOATS are a landrace breed first recognized, isolated and reproduced by a doctor in Tennessee in the 1800’s.

They are known for their unique “ fainting” response which is due to a condition called myotonia congenita. They stiffen, or even “faint” and fall when frightened. Because of this stiffening of the muscles, the breed has developed thick, muscular goats that have a 17% more meat-to-bone ratio than other breeds like Boers. Other breed traits include excellent parasite resistance, good mothering, and a gentle nature. They develop more slowly than most other breeds, taking almost three years to mature, but they last longer. In addition, because of their muscularity, they don’t jump or leap well, keeping them into pastures and off vehicles and low fences.

The Myotonic Goat Registry keeps permanent records and issues certificates.

 

What our customers say about us

5.0 4 reviews

  • Avatar Geoff Morrison ★★★★★ a year ago
    When we opted to develop our flower beds around the house, Harriet came and mapped the area with two layouts; one depicting the shrubs as they are, a second, showed where the plants ought to be based on their light needs. She and Steve are … More walking encyclopedias of landscaping wisdom, and all of their plants are simply beautiful.
  • Avatar Rebecca S ★★★★★ a year ago
    Lookout Mountain Growers maintain a beautiful, well-run farm on which they breed dozens of healthy and sweet myotonic (fainting) goats. The farm owners are very friendly, creative, and helpful and are always willing to share information about … More breeding and raising goats, propagating plants, and improving pasture health in environmentally friendly ways. Having purchased several goats from them, I can attest to their livestock's excellent genetics, looks, and care.
  • Avatar Lorie Anderson ★★★★★ a year ago
    We purchased two great does and an awesome buck from Lookout Mtn - they are great producers - the does are wonderful Mamas and a big plus is that they are built strong and with great conformation - hope to purchase again in the future.

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