Dairy goat production has expanded significantly with intensive systems raising specific welfare concerns related to housing, kid removal and disbudding.
Intensive dairy goat welfare issues parallel those of dairy cattle but receive less public attention. Early kid separation denies maternal bonding and natural nursing. Disbudding without anaesthesia causes acute pain. Barren housing frustrates the climbing, exploration and social investigation needs of highly inquisitive animals. The rapid growth of intensive dairy goat production without equivalent welfare standard development has created a sector with significant welfare gaps. Establishing evidence-based welfare standards for dairy goats is an emerging priority as production expands globally.