title: Manchega
text: # Manchega
  
  The Manchega is a breed of sheep native to the La Mancha region of Spain. The Manchega is most famous for producing the milk that is used to produce Manchego cheese, a very popular Spanish sheep's milk cheese.
  
  ## Origins
  
  Manchega sheep are native to the La Mancha plateau in New Castile. The Manchega sheep's ancestors were known as Ovis aries ligeries, and migrated across the Pyrenees and much of northern Spain before finally settling in La Mancha. The breed was domesticated by the early residents of La Mancha and bred to its current state. The Manchega were typically only bred among themselves and were seldom crossbred, resulting in a remarkably pure bloodline among today's animals. As a result, the Manchega's characteristics have remained relatively unchanged over the past several centuries.
  
  ## Characteristics
  
  The Manchega is a medium-sized, entrefino type sheep. The Manchega come in two colors, white and black, although the white Manchega comprises the vast majority of the animals, with roughly 90% of Manchega possessing this coloration. Both sexes of Manchega are polled. The sheep is of a medium weight and height, with rams typically weighing 85-90 kilograms and standing 76 centimeters tall, and ewes weighing 55-60 kilograms and standing 68 centimeters tall. The Manchega's wool has a staple length of about 14-16 centimeters and a fiber diameter of 26-8 microns. They are a medium wool breed. There are also three different sub types of Manchega: the alcarreña (also known as manchega pequeña), the montesina and the black manchega.
  
  ## Use and raising
  
  The most famous product from Manchega sheep is the Manchego cheese made from their milk. True Manchego cheese must be made from the whole milk of Manchega sheep raised in La Mancha. In La Mancha, Manchego are primarily raised for dairy production, but elsewhere their use is more diversified and they may be raised for meat as well. The Manchega has an annual milk production of about 100 liters (26.2 gallons) a year, with production greatly increasing in the months of April, May, and June, and consequently decreasing the rest of the year. The milking is often done by hand.
  
  In La Mancha, Manchega are typically raised in flocks of 100–600, although herds of up to 2,000 sheep have been known to exist. Typically they are able to graze year-round on the grassy plains of La Mancha, although they may be fed supplementary feeds, especially during lactation or pregnancy. Their feed is often also supplemented in the fall and winter with tendrils from vines and stubble from cropland.
  
  The Manchega's genetics have also played a role in the development of two other breeds: the Segureña and Talaverana.
  
  ## Sources
  
  * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Porter, Valerie; Alderson, Lawrence; Hall, Stephen; Sponenberg, Phillip (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding, 2 Volume Pack. CABI. p. 855. ISBN 978-1845934668.
  * 1 2 3 4 5 "Manchega Sheep". Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  * 1 2 3 4 Schoenian, Susan. "Manchego". sheep101.info. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  * 1 2 "Queso Manchgo". Queso Manchego. Denominacion de Origen Queso Manchego. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  * 1 2 Harbutt, Juliet (2009). World Cheese Book (first ed.). Dorling Kidersley. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-7566-5442-9.
  
  vteSheep breeds of Spain :
  
  These are the sheep breeds usually considered in Spain to be wholly or partly of Spanish origin. Inclusion here does not necessarily imply that a breed is predominantly or exclusively Spanish. :
  
  Alcarreña
  
  Ansotana
  
  Aranesa
  
  Canaria
  
  Canaria de Pelo
  
  Carranzana
  
  Carranzana Cara Rubia
  
  Carranzana (variedad Negra)
  
  Cartera
  
  Castellana
  
  Castellana (variedad Negra)
  
  Chamarita
  
  Churra
  
  Churra Lebrijana
  
  Churra Tensina
  
  Colmenareña
  
  Guirra
  
  Latxa
  
  Lojeña
  
  Maellana
  
  Manchega
  
  Manchega (variedad Negra)
  
  Merino
  
  Merina (variedad Negra)
  
  Merina (variedad de los Montes Universales)
  
  Merina de Grazalema
  
  Merino Precoz
  
  Montesina
  
  Navarra
  
  Ojalada
  
  Ojinegra de Teruel
  
  Ovella Eivissenca
  
  Ovella Galega
  
  Ovella Mallorquina
  
  Ovella Menorquina
  
  Ovella Roja Mallorquina
  
  Palmera
  
  Rasa Aragonesa
  
  Ripollesa
  
  Roncalesa
  
  Roya Bilbilitana
  
  Rubia del Molar
  
  Salz
  
  Sasi Ardi
  
  Segureña
  
  Talaverana
  
  Tudelana
  
  Xalda
  
  Xisqueta :
  
  