So.....which buck? Oberhasli or LaMancha? Milk production stats?

[freemotion]

I am now down to the wire....the buck should arrive next weekend. I have a choice between LaMancha and I think one of the Oberhasli's is still available. Can anyone tell me what the average milk production for the Oberhasli is? How it compares with the LaMancha?

If the difference is a cup or two a day, that is ok, since I am producing for our own use. I imagine that in a dairy, a few ounces adds up over the space of a year and makes a big difference.

But if the difference is a quart or two, and the lactation is significantly shorter, well, it will have to be the earless wonderboy.



Anyone out there milking Oberhaslis?

 

[Roll farms]

They are comparable, as I understand it.

Keep in mind, though....Say the buck you use makes wonderful daughters who show well, have great conformation, etc....that's no guarantee you'll get great gobs of milk.

I just checked a couple DHIR records pages from various states and the two breeds were both ranked high in most lists.
I've never milked a LaMancha, but my Obs do great.

I think maybe you're putting too much thought into "breed" and not concentrating on THOSE particular bucks. SOME bucks just don't make good milking daughters, even if their dams were milking champions.

 

[freemotion]

The ones up for consideration are bucklings, so we have no idea what they will produce. The LaMancha supposedly comes from a mother who won prizes for production. I can't get any answers on the Oberhasli's because they are owned by the son who is a freshman in college this year. Why my questions aren't passed on to him, or why he isn't bothering to answer them, is very puzzling. Sure, he is busy and overwhelmed, I'm sure, but do they really want to move a buckling for a decent price or not?

My dilemma is really about heart vs head, ears vs udder. And the Ober is twice the price of the LaMancha.

At first, I just wanted to get my doe pregnant with whatever came along to do the job, and sell the offspring asap, just so I could have more milk. Now I am very inclined to ultimately keep four does. Then, thankfully, I will be out of room.

 

[MrsCountryChick]

I've only milked my Saanen doe, but we have 2 LaMancha does & our own Buckling Buck who will be breeding them in the next few months. But from experience at auctions & posting ads it's Very True that LaManchas get a bad wrap cuz alot of people can't get by the no ear thing, causing LaManchas to go for a lower price. So just cuz the LaMancha is priced lower doesn't mean the LaMancha is a lesser Buckling. We purchased our Registered LaMancha Doe for 1/2 the price of an average Registered Doe.

We personally Love the sweet personality of our LaManchas. From our experience they're very mellow & are pleasantly mannered goats, even our Bucks. Good Luck with your choice.

 

[freemotion]

Thanks, I know I will love whatever they produce, ears or not. I just want to be able to sell the offspring. I don't have room for dozens of goats, ears or not!

 

[PattiXmas]

We use our Minivan with the back seats stripped out. Then we put down every imaginable absorbant thing that we are willing to throw out, with cardboard under it.

We are lucky in that our only Buck, Frederick isn't very "bucky". He doesn't pee on himself, so you only get that natural musky smell...it's still potent when he is in rut. And of course he is still disgusting in other Bucky ways when the girls are in heat....but it wasn't intolerable being in the Van with them.

OH...we also bring sweet feed or treats with us...and thrown them into the back if they start acting uppity.... I think after the third time they start acting uppity on purpose!!!!!I think my daughter actually hit Frederick in the head with some sweet grain!!!!!

Laney

This is how we brought our Nubians back home from the State Fair in Detroit! we used an extra large metal dog crate - both girls fit nicely inside. There were people that at first thought they were dogs until they got up behind the van and could see. Needless to say, it took us a long time to finish getting loaded, as everyone wanted to pet or have their pictures taken with the girls!

 

[PattiXmas]

Thanks, I know I will love whatever they produce, ears or not. I just want to be able to sell the offspring. I don't have room for dozens of goats, ears or not!

I don't think I could handle the La Manchas. I think what is worse then them not having big ears is the fact that the scrappy tag is sometimes on the flap of skin right below the tail...

 

[freemotion]

OK, now it seems that I might not have a choice. This is very frustrating....I need to just take a breath and be happy to get my girls pregnant and lactating, I guess. It looks like it will have to be the LaMancha, but I won't know for sure until Sunday.....maybe.

Either way, I'm off now to go and raise the height of my fencing it what is to be the buck pen!

 

[freemotion]

Here he is, with some of the girls already lining up....

I think he touches that hot wire every 15 minutes or so, often with his tongue! BAAAAH!!!!

 

[MrsCountryChick]

Here he is, with some of the girls already lining up....

Looks like LoVe to me, lol.