They're a Mediterranean breed. The latter is a breed originating in the U.S. LaManchas are born with exremely short to nonexistent external ears. At present, Sara is milking 23 does, with another 25 bred to freshen in the next couple of months. She runs them into a milking parlor, where they hop up onto a platform with locking headgates, nibbling on grain while they're being milked. She can milk four on one side, six on the other side of the parlor.
Gestation is five months.
Does are bred at seven months to kid as yearlings. Their natural breeding period is September through February. They will breed out of season with the use of artificial lighting and lutylase. Goats will be productive milk producers for 6 to 10 year. A commercial herd of Saanens typically averages 1,800 to 2,400 pounds.