Goats are intelligent, curious animals whose welfare needs are frequently underestimated. Understanding goat husbandry requirements improves outcomes in both commercial and smallholder settings.
Goat welfare is frequently underestimated relative to more commercially prominent livestock species. Their intelligence and curiosity means environmental complexity and social companionship are essential rather than optional. Solitary confinement causes obvious distress. The routine disbudding of kids, often performed without anesthesia in smallholder settings, causes significant acute pain and requires appropriate pain relief. Internal parasite management is particularly important as haemonchus contortus can rapidly cause fatal anemia. Goats in commercial dairy production face similar welfare challenges to dairy cattle including high milk yields and kid separation.