So.....

[Shygal]

what happens to the ears with a minimancha? Do they take after the lamancha or the nigerian , or a mix of both?

Is there any restrictions on registering them?

[JBarGFarmKeeper]

Here is a link to the breed standard for MiniLaManchas. At the end of the description and examples there is a link to a page about genetics. It explains the possibilities.

http://miniaturedairygoats.com/Breed...a_standard.htm

I bred purebred LaMancha to Purebred Nigerians this past year and all the resulting kids (a bunch of them) were elf-eared. I will breed my elf-eared does to gopher-eared bucks this fall and the one gopher-eared doeling I have (F3) to an elf-eared buck.

In the "experimental" generations (F1 & F2) there is no restriction on ears (male or female). To be American or Purebred, Bucks MUST be gopher-eared and does can be gopher or elf-eared to match breed standards.

Hope this helps...

[Zilli]

For what it's worth, all three of my Samanchas have elf ears while their mom has the gopher ears.

It is my understanding that the LaMancha ears are dominant.

I'll be breeding my year and a half old Samancha to a Saanen this fall; I'm curious as to what the ear thing will end up with the baby or babies being only 1/4 LaMancha.

[MaddieLynn]

If you cross a gopher eared LaMancha with a Nigerian all (100%) of the kids will have elf ears. If you cross an elf eared LaMancha with a Nigerian half (50%) of kids will have elf ears and the other half (50%) will have normal length ears. Elf x Gopher is a 50/50 chance at either elf or gopher. Elf x Elf = 25% normal, 25% gopher, and 50% elf.

ETA: breeding an elf eared Samancha to a Saanen you have a 50/50 shot at either elf or normal ears. Last year our elf eared LaMancha/Alpine was bred to an Alpine buck and had triplets; 2 with full ears and one with elf ears.

[Zilli]

Originally Posted by MaddieLynn

If you cross a gopher eared LaMancha with a Nigerian all (100%) of the kids will have elf ears. If you cross an elf eared LaMancha with a Nigerian half (50%) of kids will have elf ears and the other half (50%) will have normal length ears. Elf x Gopher is a 50/50 chance at either elf or gopher. Elf x Elf = 25% normal, 25% gopher, and 50% elf.

ETA: breeding an elf eared Samancha to a Saanen you have a 50/50 shot at either elf or normal ears. Last year our elf eared LaMancha/Alpine was bred to an Alpine buck and had triplets; 2 with full ears and one with elf ears.

Funny how that works because I bred a Nubian doe that I used to have to the Saanen buck I used to have and she had two bucklings - one with Saanen ears and one with (sort of) Nubian ears.

Of course, they were both solid white.

Edited to add: Based on the 50/50 shot when I breed my Samancha, does that mean if she has only a single baby, that one of the ears will be elf and the other Saanen size?

Just kidding, of course. Just one of those stupid random things that pop into my head while I'm milking. LOL

[Ford Zoo]

Originally Posted by MaddieLynn

If you cross a gopher eared LaMancha with a Nigerian all (100%) of the kids will have elf ears. If you cross an elf eared LaMancha with a Nigerian half (50%) of kids will have elf ears and the other half (50%) will have normal length ears. Elf x Gopher is a 50/50 chance at either elf or gopher. Elf x Elf = 25% normal, 25% gopher, and 50% elf.

ETA: breeding an elf eared Samancha to a Saanen you have a 50/50 shot at either elf or normal ears. Last year our elf eared LaMancha/Alpine was bred to an Alpine buck and had triplets; 2 with full ears and one with elf ears.

Thanks for the question and explanation!