Goats are hardy animals but face significant welfare challenges in intensive and semi-intensive farming. This page covers common issues and best practices.
Goat welfare receives less attention than cattle or pig welfare despite the global scale of goat farming. Common welfare problems include inadequate pain relief for disbudding and castration, helminth parasite burdens that cause chronic ill health and suffering, foot problems associated with wet or inappropriate flooring, and inadequate social grouping. Goats are highly curious and motivated to explore, and barren environments cause boredom and frustration. In dairy goat systems, kid separation is an additional welfare concern. Good goat welfare involves appropriate parasite management, pain relief for routine procedures, environmental enrichment, and stable social groups.