Dairy goat kids are separated from their mothers at birth in most commercial systems. Improving kid rearing welfare through social housing and enrichment is an important welfare priority.
Kid welfare in dairy goat production faces similar challenges to dairy calf welfare. Early separation from the doe causes distress in both parties. Individual isolation in small pens prevents the development of normal social behaviour and causes stereotypic oral behaviours from frustration. Group housing in larger social groups with shared milk feeders substantially improves welfare outcomes. The development of commercial markets for male dairy goat kids as rose kid meat reduces the economic driver for birth killing.