American LaMancha Goats for Homesteaders

When it comes to livestock, goats have a lot going for them for homesteaders. Smaller, cheaper, and easier to handle compared to cows, and not quite as nasty or destructive as pigs, goats occupy a neat middle ground and can still furnish you with plenty of meat and milk for your own family or as the cornerstone of a successful business.

But picking the right breed is imperative if you want your goat herding endeavor to succeed. If it is milk you are after, you’ve got to learn about the American LaMancha. A highly productive and super friendly dairy goat, they can make a great choice for your homestead.

Keep reading, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about their care, and their peculiarities, in this guide.

Where Did American LaMancha Goats Originate?

If you love the intricacies of the lore surrounding different goat breeds, you’ll have a lot to sink your teeth into concerning the American LaMancha, oftentimes just referred to as LaMancha.

The story is a long one, but the basics are thus: these goats were first developed in the first few decades of the 20th century in California and Oregon. Their origins are so murky and shrouded in rumor and mystery that their precise heritage is still totally unknown.

Arguably the progenitor of the American LaMancha was first exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair in Paris. But they weren’t American LaManchas; those goats weren’t even referred to as LaMancha goats back then- they were then known as Spanish Murcianas.

The American LaMancha we know and love today is actually an American original thought to have been developed from Spanish and potentially Mexican goats that were first imported from Spain all the way back in the 16th century.

Most records show that the LaMancha was first properly codified after Phoebe Wilhelm of California bred her peculiar earless goats with purebred Saanens.

This is likely the genesis of the breed which was then further strengthened and developed with various other imported dairy breeds by Eula Fay Fry proceeding through the following decades.

The goats were perfected around 1957 and registered in 1958 where the breed has spread across North America ever since.

Size and Appearance

Somewhat smaller than average, the LaMancha stands on average anywhere from 28 to 30 inches tall, with bucks being slightly taller than those. Bucks are also significantly heavier, maxing out at about 160 pounds where does rarely weigh more than 130 pounds.

LaManchas are instantly recognizable for one unique feature, and that is their ears. Or rather, I should say their lack thereof! Most seem to have no ears whatsoever, just a small bud of cartilage at the opening of the ear canal, what is referred to as gopher ears.

Another type of acceptable non-ear characteristic of the breed, and specifically for females, is referred to as elf ears; short, 2-inch lobes that turn down at the tips.

LaManchas are also notable for having an entirely flat face that is perfectly straight from the brow to the end of the nose.

LaManchas are also a fun choice if you want a varied appearance among your herd: the standard includes absolutely any kind of color and any kind of pattern, and you’ll see them in every shade of brown, tan, fawn, white, black, red and more.

Patterns might be broken, brindle, single-color, two-color, or anything else. As long as their ears conform and they have a short, glossy coat, they are good to go as far as the ADGA is concerned.

Are There Miniature American LaManchas?

Yes, though they are not a standardized breed. Miniature LaManchas, sometimes just called mini LaManchas, are typically a crossbreed resulting from a Nigerian dwarf buck and a LaMancha doe.

They’re somewhat smaller and shorter than the standard American LaMancha, though their size varies considerably.

These smaller varieties are typically produced by independent farms and so-called boutique breeders.

What are These Goats Usually Kept For?

The LaMancha is a dairy goat through and through, and a remarkably productive one.

They can be harvested for their meat, but they are not particularly remarkable in terms of yield or quality.

They’re also a popular pet, owing it to their interesting appearance, smaller-than-average size, and friendliness towards people. It’s hard to be intimidated by those cute little ears!

Milk Production

Most does can produce over a gallon of milk a day, and average around 2,200 pounds of milk over a lactation period of 275 to 305 days.

LaManchas are particularly notable for their high output and long lactation. They can go a lot longer than other goats between freshenings, which can definitely be an advantage if you want to stay in milk all year without having a large herd of goats to manage.

Just a single doe, or perhaps two, can keep a family in plenty of milk for drinking and making all sorts of products.

LaManchas are also noteworthy for butterfat content which averages right at 4%, although many will produce milk that is even richer, as high as 8%. This makes them especially suitable for producing dairy foods as well as products like soap.

Their milk is ideal for ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and more, and is incredibly rich and sweet compared to other dairy goats like Alpines, Saanens, and Toggenburgs.

Temperament

One of the best characteristics of the LaMancha is its sweet disposition. These goats are friendly, bond readily with people, and are easy to handle. They rarely resist or act up as long as their basic needs are met and fights between members of established herds are quite rare.

They are also, mercifully, quite easy to milk as a rule, and after a little bit of experience and coaxing to get them on the milking stand, you shouldn’t have any problems with them.

This gentle disposition and calmness have made them a very popular pet goat in conjunction with their unique appearance.

Their short, glossy coat and tiny ears make them undeniably attractive, and if you want to enjoy lots of petting and handing out treats with your herd, you can hardly do better than these goats.

However, something to note is that LaManchas also have a reputation for being highly intelligent and quite crafty.

They are quick to capitalize on any opportunity for escape if they want to get out of their enclosure, and if you forget to latch a gate or there’s a spot on the fence that has gone unmended, they’ll figure it out immediately and act. Don’t underestimate them!

Do American LaManchas Have Horns?

Yes, but polled strains are common. For horned lines, as a rule, they are disbudded while the goats are still kids. If left in place, horns are relatively small in diameter but stout and curl backward.

Are American LaManchas Noisy?

Not typically. Among most domestic goats, LaManchas are very quiet. They don’t communicate much among themselves as long as they are content and their needs are met, but if they’re in trouble or if there is something they want, you can depend on them to sound off.

If you have nearby neighbors or just prefer to enjoy a quiet domain, these goats are one of the best choices around.

Jumping Ability

LaManchas should be considered average jumpers, with mature adults being able to jump about three and a half feet high, or maybe 4 feet at the absolute most.

Most of the time, a 4-foot fence is enough to keep them in, but they have also been known to climb. As is always the case with goats, sturdier, taller fences are cheap insurance for keeping them in place, or else go electric to give them a strong psychological deterrent.

Despite being disbudded as a rule, you’ll be happier and your goats safer if your fencing doesn’t have any holes in it large enough that will permit them to shove their heads through; there’s always a chance of them getting tangled up and injured, even without the horns!

Temperature and Space Requirements

LaManchas are a surprisingly adaptable breed; they can do pretty well in cold or hot climates as long as they have adequate shelter to retreat to when they’ve had enough.

A typical, three-sided shelter is adequate for protecting them from precipitation and falling temps, along with intense sunlight.

When temperatures start falling to about 35° F / 2° C they’ll need shelter, and if they get wet, they can be in danger if temps are as high as 50°F / 10° C.

In terms of heat, LaManchas will fare pretty well when the temperature is hovering around 75°F. Keep in mind that, lacking ears, they don’t cool down as quickly as other goats so extreme heat and prolonged sunshine can be problematic for them.

When it comes to space, plan on giving each adult at least 20 square feet (2 square meters), and slightly less for kids. Outdoors in an enclosure, 200 square feet (18 square meters) per adult, the standard, is adequate.

LaManchas that are being free-ranged can be kept anywhere from 5 to 8 adults per acre depending on the carrying capacity of your land.

When is American LaMancha Breeding Season?

LaMancha goats are seasonal breeders, with breeding season typically lasting from September to March.

Are There Any Special Health Issues They Suffer From?

Happily, LaManchas are a healthy domestic breed that does not unduly suffer from diseases and other problems.

Unfortunately, like pretty much all goats, they tend to be highly vulnerable to internal parasites, picking up many of them when grazing. These risks are amplified if you do not rotate pastures to break the life cycle of these parasites.

Lungworms are a particularly hideous invader that will infest the bronchi of the lungs or, most worryingly, the spinal cord of affected goats.

Coughing and labored breathing are the first signs you’ll notice, and at that point you must hurry with treatment, or else the damage can be significant.

Barber pole worm, one that infects the stomach and lining of the intestines, is a nasty and constant threat that can cause anemia. If your goats are often foraging on grass, these will be a constant threat along with tapeworms.

Another parasite that’s known to be picked up during grazing is the liver fluke. Once seriously infested, these critters will cause a loss of appetite and weakness, and then sharp weight loss.

Regular examinations for parasite load and symptoms will help you apply treatments and countermeasures at the right time.

Other than that, the only other health issue that is particular to LaManchas is in regards to their ears, or rather their lack of ears. They don’t get as dirty as you might think except when there is lots of dust in the air.

Since they don’t have a proper ear lobe to help cover the ear canal, this dust can accumulate and then result in the production of excess wax. If not cleaned out, this wax can lead to infection or, in the short term, make it difficult for the goat to hear out of that ear.

Cleaning it out with swabs and the appropriate cleanser is all that is necessary to correct this issue, though.

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Ultimately, LaManchas do tend toward better health compared to many other domestic breeds, and any problems that might be associated with their missing earlobes are very minor in comparison to typical health concerns.

Lifespan

Sadly, LaManchas tend not to live as long as other domestic breeds, typically around 7 to 10 years. Some can certainly live longer, even into their teens, but this is decidedly less common.

If you want to keep LaManchas as a pet this is something you’ll have to account for because the relationship is not one that will last as long as with other goats.

How Much Do American LaManchas Cost?

The price of LaManchas varies a lot, but on average they will go anywhere from $150 to $650 depending on age, lineage, and the breeder.

Where to Get Them From

The best way to find LaMancha goats for sale in your neck of the woods is to simply do a search on the net for breeders. If that’s no good or you want to go straight to the source, look up the American LaMancha Breeders Association here.