Goat farming is expanding globally but welfare standards lag behind those for cattle and sheep. Housing, social management, and health care all require attention to meet goat behavioural needs.
Goats are often kept in conditions that fail to meet their complex behavioural needs. As naturally curious, climbing animals that evolved in rugged terrain, flat barren indoor systems deny them fundamental opportunities for natural behaviour expression. Welfare improvements require industry recognition that goats have distinct needs from sheep, investment in appropriate housing design, and routine use of pain relief for husbandry procedures. Developing countries where most goats are kept face particular challenges in providing basic veterinary care and disease management.