Dairy goat production has grown rapidly worldwide, but the welfare of milking goats — including kid separation and housing standards — deserves greater attention.
Dairy goat welfare is often overshadowed by the welfare focus on dairy cattle, but many of the same concerns apply. Kid separation causes acute distress in both doe and offspring. Intensive indoor housing without browse or climbing structures frustrates natural behaviours. Goats are prone to respiratory disease in poorly ventilated barns. Higher-welfare dairy goat production allows longer maternal bonding, provides enriched housing, and maintains smaller milking herds.