Dairy goat production has expanded significantly in the UK and globally, but welfare standards lag behind cattle dairy in many areas, including housing, health management and disbudding practices.
Dairy goat welfare in intensive systems faces many of the same challenges as intensive dairy cattle, including mastitis, lameness and metabolic disease, but with less developed welfare assessment frameworks and assurance standards. Goats are highly motivated explorers and behavioural restriction in barren housing causes frustration and stereotypic behaviour.