Goats are adaptable, curious animals whose welfare in dairy production systems requires attention to social needs, housing quality, and health management.
Dairy goats are among the more overlooked farm animal welfare subjects, often assumed to fare better than dairy cattle due to smaller operation size. In reality, intensive dairy goat systems share many of the same welfare problems: early kid separation, indoor confinement without access to browse and varied terrain, mastitis from high milk production, and limited enrichment. Goats are curious, active animals with strong social bonds whose welfare is best served by systems allowing natural movement, social stability, and foraging behavior.