Goats are among the most versatile and widely kept livestock species globally. Understanding their welfare needs in smallholder contexts reveals both common challenges and practical improvements available to farmers.
Goat welfare in smallholder systems reflects a combination of species-specific needs and resource constraints that shape practical welfare outcomes. Goats are curious, agile animals that seek out elevated perching points, browse rather than graze preferentially, and maintain complex social relationships. Confinement in small spaces without appropriate enrichment frustrates their exploration drive. Internal parasites cause chronic debilitation affecting growth, reproduction, and ultimately survival. Foot problems from wet conditions cause pain limiting movement and access to food. Mineral deficiencies cause reproductive failure and immune suppression. The good news is that community veterinary services, vaccination campaigns, and basic husbandry training can address most of these welfare challenges at low cost with significant welfare and livelihood co-benefits.