Disbudding of kid goats is a widespread practice that causes significant acute pain, with welfare improved substantially by anaesthesia.
Disbudding without anaesthesia causes severe and prolonged acute pain in kid goats. The practice is performed for legitimate management reasons but the welfare cost of doing so without pain relief is entirely avoidable. Provision of local anaesthetic blocks and sedation should be standard practice, as it is in several European countries with progressive welfare legislation.