Fainting Goats on Shelter Island

Meet Sylvester Manor's two newest residents, twin baby "Fainting" goats.

Sylvester Manor Educational Farm, located on Shelter Island, is a former plantation, now turned into an educational farm. On the farm, they have a small menagerie of farm animals; including cows, chickens, pigs, lambs and goats. These two little additions were just born on the property last month.

According to Julia Trunzo, Sylvester Manor's Farm Manager, they were born on President's Day to be exact.

"We knew they were coming," said Trunzo.  "They were in our backfield for the winter, where the babies are born."

The twins are known 'does' or nannies', which is what female goats are called. They have not been named yet, because Sylvester Manor is planning a special "naming contest" to get local children involved.

              Momma goat, Copper, with her little twins

According to Truzo, Copper, the mother goat, instinctively knew what to do.

"She cleaned them off and started to nurse them," she said. "Then we moved them to the windmill field when they were about two days old."

Mother and baby goats are doing just fine. Copper eats a variety of things on the farm, including grain and hay, plus she forages out on the field for grass and other plants. For now the babies are still nursing, but soon they will join mom feeding on grain and hay supplied by the farm, as well fresh grass and when spring arrives.

The Manor goat's main function is non-invasive brush control, which means they keep weeds and other undergrowth in check. A lot of non-native plants in the forest end up chocking native plant species, but the goats go in and help keep the area clear.

 Shelter Island residents stop by to see the newest additions

The term "Fainting Goat" is actually a misnomer. The actual term is Myotonic goat. These domestic goats will sometimes freeze up and fall over for about 10 seconds when they are surprised. The characteristic is caused by a genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. It's a misnomer because the goats never really lose consciousness. 

The Sylvester Manor goats have a fairly weak fainting gene, according to Trunzo, who has only seen their mom, Copper, faint a few times.

"The reason why we chose that breed is because it makes them a little less sure-footed," said Trunzo. "Goats are crazy escape artists and almost any other goat would have gotten out of that pen by now."

The best time to see the baby goats and their mom, Copper is on weekends when the Sylvester Manor Farm Stand is open. Visit sylvestermanor.org for more information.