How environmental enrichment improves welfare for dairy goats in intensive indoor housing systems.
Dairy goats in indoor systems face a behavioral environment that is impoverished relative to their natural habitat — rocky, varied terrain where climbing, exploring, and browsing are constant activities. Environmental enrichment that provides elevated platforms, browse variety, and interactive objects allows expression of these natural drives. The welfare benefit is visible in behavioral outcomes: goats with enrichment show more play, less aggression, and more affiliative social behavior. The practical case for enrichment is also strong — calmer, less stressed goats are easier to manage, produce more milk, and have lower rates of injury.