Dairy goats produce milk for a growing global market, but their welfare is subject to many of the same pressures as dairy cattle, including kid separation, high yield selection, and inadequate housing.
Dairy goat welfare mirrors dairy cattle welfare challenges but receives far less regulatory and public attention. Kid separation causes acute and measurable distress in does and kids alike; vocalisation studies show this persists for multiple days. The routine killing of male kids — often by blunt trauma on small farms — is a welfare harm of significant scale. Housing systems that prevent climbing, exploration, and social interaction with preferred companions fail to meet the behavioural needs of highly active, curious animals. Hoof care is often neglected in intensive systems, leading to chronic lameness that impairs both welfare and productivity. High welfare dairy goat production is achievable but requires investment in space, social housing, hoof care, and more humane kid management.