Dairy goat production is a growing sector globally but welfare standards lag behind those for dairy cattle. Key welfare issues include kid separation, disbudding without anaesthesia, and inadequate space and social provisions in intensive systems.
Dairy goat kids experience the same maternal separation distress as dairy calves. Does show persistent searching behaviour and vocalisation for days after kid removal. Male kids in dairy goat systems that have no welfare pathway are typically killed at birth or shortly after. Disbudding without pain management causes acute pain and behavioural distress. The growing dairy goat sector needs welfare standards development proportional to its expansion.