Miniature Lamanchas
or Mini-Manchas
 

About Miniature Dairy Goats

Miniature Lamanchas or Mini-Manchas are a cross between a purebred Nigerian Dwarf with a full sized Lamancha. The result is a miniature dairy goat that resembles the Lamancha in a smaller size. The goal in mini programs is to produce a goat that is smaller in size and in turn requires less feed, but produces a good deal more milk than the Nigerian Dwarfs do. Nigerian Dwarfs typically produce between a quart to a half gallon of milk a day. Full size Lamanchas produce anywhere from a half gallon to two gallons of milk a day. Mini-Manchas are expected to produce at least 3/4 to a gallon of milk a day.

Mini-Manchas are a relatively new breed. Several breeders have crossed their yearling first freshener Lamancha does to Nigerians for years, to make the kiddings easier for the does. The resulting kids would have no purpose and were sold as family milkers or meat. They now have a market as a new dairy goat breed which can be very productive and require less space and feed. There are also registries available to keep pedigree information on these goats as well.

Registration

The current registries for mini dairy breeds such as Mini-Manchas, Mini-Nubians, Mini-Alpines, Mini-Saanens, Mini-Toggenburgs, etc is the MDGA (Miniature Dairy Goat Association) and TMGR (The Miniature Goat Registry). Showing is possible in some states that are already sanctioning shows by MDGA and/or TMGR. The east coast so far does not have many if any. This will change as the popularity of the breed(s) increases. Mini-Manchas are not registerable with any of the registries that accept Nigerian Dwarfs or Lamanchas such as ADGA, AGS or NDGA. These registries do not recognize mini dairy breeds... yet.

Generations

The purebred Nigerian Dwarf and purebred Lamancha parent goats are referred to as foundation animals. They are the beginning of your mini program and therefore the foundation. Hence the F in the generation notes. The number tells you how many generations from foundation (or purebred Lamancha and Nigerian Dwarf parents) the goat is. For example. A goat listed as F1 means it is one generation from foundation. That simply means it is one generation from purebred Lamancha and Nigerian Dwarf parents. F2 means it is 2 generation from purebred Lamancha and Nigerian Dwarf parents. This is achieved by breeding two F1 minis together. Anytime you cross back to a purebred Nigerian Dwarf or Lamancha you start back over at F1. Another rule of thumb is that anytime you cross mixed generation kids together, the resulting offspring will be one generation higher than the lowest parent. For example, if you crossed a F1 Mini-Mancha doe to a F3 Mini-Mancha buck, the resulting kids would be F2 Mini-Manchas being one generation higher than their dam since she is the closest to foundation.

Once you've bred up to F3 or third generation minis, and if the animal itself meets the breed standard by height, color or ear requirements and is as close to 50% Lamancha and 50% Nigerian Dwarf as possible, then you can apply the goat for American registration. If accepted the goat will be an American Mini-Mancha. American Mini-Manchas consist of 3rd and 4th generation goats or higher, which are not breeding true. Once you reach sixth generation and if the goats have been breeding true and still conforming to the standard, the goat can be applied for Purebred Mini-Mancha registration. American and Purebred Mini-Manchas are already being registered and recorded in the herdbook!

If you are curious about the miniature dairy goats and would like to learn more. Follow the links below to check out registries and groups specializing in these breeds.

MDGA ~ Miniature Dairy Goat Association
TMGR ~ The Miniature Goat Registry

My Experience With Minis

I have dabbled in miniature dairy breeds off and on over the six years I've raised dairy goats (as of 2011). We first tried our hand with Mini-Oberhaslis, however we found out quickly that Oberhaslis alone are rare in our area and minis were even more so. We decided to sell out of Mini-Obers as a result. I truly liked the breed, it was just nearly impossible to find unrelated bloodlines to work with and the market was non existent for Mini-Oberhaslis here.

We then tried Mini-Manchas and its taken us a while to really get the program off the ground and running. I absolutely love the demeanor of Lamanchas, they are so laid back and easy going. Nigerians are extremely out going and happy-go-lucky. Minis from my experience can favor one or the other or a great mix of both breeds. All are sweet and affectionate.

I am anxious to put some minis through the ropes and see how their production compares to both Lamanchas and Nigerian Dwarfs. Once we successfully produce a working mini program we will post our findings. I thoroughly enjoy Lamanchas and Nigerian Dwarfs so to the combination of the two breeds does result in a breed we enjoy. They are sweet, outgoing and dairy animals. Check out the links below to meet the minis who reside here at Sweet Gum Minis & Manchas.

Feel free to email me to talk about miniature dairy goats. :~)
 

Meet the Lamancha does who 'may' contribute to our Mini program
Appleberry Cove Pumpkin Spice
Cobble's Valley IP Nadine
Cobble's Valley TBPD Nicolette
Appleberry Cove IN Sashay
Shady Lawn Wild Temptress
Cobble's Valley PIMP Neytiri

Meet the Nigerian Dwarf bucks who 'may' contribute to our Mini program
TX Twincreeks FAX Pico Truffle *S *B
Fairlea Jean-Luc Picard *S
Little Tots Estate Ericson