A small goat with a distinctive silky look
Mini Silky goats is the everyday name for Miniature Silky Fainting Goats. The breed is known for a long, draping coat and abundant hair around the face and neck. Its terrier-like appearance makes these goats easy to remember. The MSFGA visual standard emphasizes coat quality, balanced proportions and breed type rather than fainting ability.
The registry lists an ideal shoulder height of 23.5 inches or less for bucks and 22.5 inches or less for does, with upper heights of 25 and 23.5 inches respectively. These are adult goats with lasting care needs, not babies that stay small forever.
How the breed began
The breed’s roots connect small Nigerian Dwarf goats with long-coated Tennessee Fainting goats. Renee Orr’s account describes the work of selecting for a smaller goat with a flowing coat, followed by the development of the association and herd book in 2004. Today the registry’s history and illustrated standard help breeders understand the appearance they are working toward.
Read the original story in the MSFGA’s breed history, and explore its official visual standard.
Do all Mini Silky goats faint?
No. The MSFGA does not require a Mini Silky goat to faint. In goats that show myotonia, muscles can take longer to relax after contracting, causing brief stiffness and sometimes a fall. The response varies between individuals. UC Davis explains the condition in its goat congenital myotonia guide.
At our visits, the goal is a calm, positive interaction. Please follow Dawn’s handling guidance and never chase or startle a goat to try to make it faint.
Our approach at Endless Possibilities Farm
We are selective about the quality and pedigree of the Mini Silky goats we raise. Our goal is to breed beautiful, healthy goats while giving each animal the individual attention it deserves. We are proud members of the Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association (MSFGA).
Pedigree gives us a way to understand the family behind an individual goat. We consider that history alongside the animal in front of us, rather than choosing a pairing for coat alone. Ask Dawn about the background of a particular goat, our breeding plans and the information available for that animal.
Our herd includes bucks Fabio and Cassanova; wethers Finnick and Kenny; and does with their own looks and stories. Mamie is a Master Champion with two Best in Show wins. Maybeleen has two Grand Champion wins and one Reserve Champion win. Finnick and Kenny have each earned multiple Best in Show wins. Visit Meet the Animals to put faces to those names.
Living with a long-coated goat
A silky coat is only one part of goat ownership. Make room in your routine for checking the coat for tangles and debris, gentle grooming, hoof care and observing each goat’s usual behavior. Ask the breeder how the individual goat has been handled and what coat care it is used to.
Before bringing goats home, plan for goat companionship, secure fencing, shade, dry ventilated shelter, clean drinking water and appropriate forage and minerals. Feeding needs change with age and life stage. A goat-experienced veterinarian can help you plan nutrition and preventive care for your own herd. Penn State Extension offers goat management resources for prospective owners.
Meet Mini Silky goats in Central New Jersey
Our farm is in Monroe Township, New Jersey. If you are curious about the breed, talk with Dawn or explore our herd profiles. For pedigrees, breeding inquiries and current availability, visit NJ Mini Silky Goats by Endless Possibilities Farm.
Want to meet our goats at your celebration? Explore goat grams and offsite goat visits. We choose animals and activities for each visit based on suitability and availability.
Questions about the breed
Are Mini Silky goats the same as Nigerian Dwarf goats?
No. Nigerian Dwarf goats are part of the breed’s development history, but Miniature Silky Fainting Goats have their own registry and visual standard. Our farm lists our Mini Silky herd separately from our Pygmy/Nigerian Dwarf goats.
Can a Mini Silky goat have horns?
The MSFGA visual standard accepts horned, disbudded and naturally polled goats. Horns are not a requirement. Ask about the individual animal rather than assuming all goats of this breed are alike.
How do I learn about a goat’s pedigree?
Ask Dawn about the individual goat’s registered name, parentage and available paperwork. The official MSFGA registry provides registration and pedigree resources. A portrait or show award alone does not describe a complete pedigree.
Explore the official registry
Breed history and appearance guidance on this page are informed by the MSFGA. For official registration information, standards and show resources, visit the Miniature Silky Fainting Goat Association and Registry.