Goats are curious, playful, and highly active animals whose behavioral needs require appropriate enrichment and environmental complexity for positive welfare.
Goats in barren, socially restricted environments show clear signs of frustration and boredom through excessive object destruction, inappropriate social behavior, and stereotypies. Their intelligence and curiosity make them particularly susceptible to welfare harm from environmental poverty. Enrichment for goats does not need to be expensive - tire stacks, wooden platforms, and diverse foraging materials provide substantial behavioral benefit at low cost. The welfare case for goat enrichment is compelling and practical.