Mini Lamancha vs Standard size Lamancha

[Future Homesteader]

Good evening!

Besides the amount of milk/food due to size, what differences have you noticed having both the mini and standard size lamanchas?

I'm having a tough time deciding. I'm wondering if there are any personality differences between the two sizes?

Thank you

 

[Alaskan]

I didn't try a mini Lamancha, but I got suckered into a mini Saanen.

My full size Saanen was worth her weight in gold.

The cute, smaller package sold me, I wanted another milk goat....

I paid good money for a good breeding... good milk lines.

And... the problem really is that you are buying a mutt. Now maybe if this is a mini bred to a mini it is different. But I got an F1 cross... so a ND buck over a Saanen. But even with a perfect mini, a smaller animal will equal smaller teats.

My full sized Saanen milked over a gallon a day for over 2 years after a kidding, before her quantity noticably reduced, she had perfect size teats, easy to squeeze, easy to milk. Great udder. She also could be held in place by a pallet fence. How tall is a pallet? 3 feet?

My mini Saanen was adorable, could clear 5 foot fences with a short running leap, and had tiny teats. I bred her to a ND, she gave me 2 cute colored up kids, and those kids did NOT manage to add any length to those teats! I tried to milk her a few times and I didn't get much!!!! No idea though if it was an issue of my hand not fitting on her ND sized teats, or if her production was actually poor.

Now I bought her as a freshly weaned doeling. No way at that point to tell how her udder and teats would turn out.... her mom, a full Saanen, had great teats.

Soooooooooo

I am sure there are minis out there that are great, and are just cuter versions of the full sized counterparts.

However, clearly, I need TEATS that fit my hand! And a goat that will stay behind a fence. Smaller critter, smaller teats. Give me full sized teats, every day of the week!

 

[Future Homesteader]

However, clearly, I need TEATS that fit my hand! And a goat that will stay behind a fence. Smaller critter, smaller teats. Give me full sized teats, every day of the week!

Now, I did not realize a mini could clear a 5ft fence! But your comment above does summarize some very good points. And I do worry about the mixed breedings. These will be my first goats. I agree with the teats. We could use the extra milk with the standard size. I know my human kids would love a mini. I might just need to get a wether mini for the kids.

Thank you for the repsonse!

 

[Mini Horses]

I have had mini Nubians. My older buck IS a registered mini nub, he is clearly not a mini! But great milk lines. Etc. Mostly I have full size, Saanens and a Nubian/Saanen crosses. Teat size needed, no matter size of goat. . Quantity important for your needs as it controls how many you need to milk and house.

That said, some are just better endowed than others . Jumpers?? Goats are that! I find my Saanens are far less inclined but, again they can, will and have. Mostly my 4' fences are fine...I do/have had a few who will clear them!

Mostly I find you get "one of those" on occasion who seem to make it a goal to jump out. . Rarely do they go far, just have a need to be on other side. my concern is their own safety. I did have one get caught going over a CP, broken anklebroke my heart. Goats are just individual personalities, beyond the breed usuals.

 

[Future Homesteader]

I have had mini Nubians. My older buck IS a registered mini nub

I have this strange feeling goats are going to be like our youngest daughter (a red-head)

Your point above, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and get registered stock at the get-go. Our county fair is coming in Aug, and I'd like to visit the livestock there. I'm thinking all of those would be registered. And maybe some close to me.

I'd love to taste the different types of goat milk. I realize feed makes a lot of difference, so maybe that won't tell me anything. But I'd still like to try it.

Awwwww boken ankle, I would be broken too!

Thank you for responding!

 

[Alaskan]

I have this strange feeling goats are going to be like our youngest daughter (a red-head)

Your point above, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and get registered stock at the get-go. Our county fair is coming in Aug, and I'd like to visit the livestock there. I'm thinking all of those would be registered. And maybe some close to me.

I'd love to taste the different types of goat milk. I realize feed makes a lot of difference, so maybe that won't tell me anything. But I'd still like to try it.

Awwwww boken ankle, I would be broken too!

Thank you for responding!

Feed and minerals etc do make a huge difference, also how fast you chill it, and how old it is is HUGE. We never drank milk over 24 hours old.

But, fat content is also a huge taste factor. I don't like my cereal milk to have a bunch of fat. I like my 2%, as do my kids.

So for us, that Saanen was perfect. Lots of milk, and lower fat, perfect for fresh drinking. And we did make ricotta/farmer/fresh cheese from the Saanen milk. We used the whey to make rice, instead of water. I never wanted to spend the time,or buy the "stuff" needed to make fancier cheeses. I like low input stuff.

 

[Mini Horses]

Agree with @Alaskan. And some breeds are known to have different tasting milk, in general. The stage of lactation changes butterfat ratio, also. I like my Saanen for same reasons. Plus they are a little calmer, in general. I do similar cheeses. Nice to have a few containers of frozen cheeses for lasagna. That stuff is expensive.

I have a cream separater and can have plenty for whipping, or butter. Don't use as often as I could but, one day I'll have time for the hard cheeses....a goal. My cheese press is waiting for me to do. I still make soap on occasion, when running low. Also sell some of my excess milk to soapers.

Registered? Needed for some showing. It's a great way to trace lineages. Etc. But after working with registries for both mini horses and Boer goats for years, at this stage of life I don't keep just registered. I buy by eye, as well as lineage. The papers can be issued on less than the best

Love my goaties!!