Kid mortality in the first weeks of life is a major welfare challenge in goat production, with colostrum management and housing design as key interventions.
Kid welfare in the neonatal period requires intensive management that begins before birth. Does that are well-nourished in late pregnancy produce higher-quality colostrum in greater volume, directly improving kid survival. Kids that fail to nurse adequately in the first hours of life experience hypothermia and hypoglycaemia that are rapidly fatal without intervention. Early recognition of kids at risk - those born in cold conditions, from heavy-milking does that prevent access, or from multiple births where smaller individuals are outcompeted - allows targeted supplementary care. Warm, dry kidding accommodation and regular stockmanship checks during the kidding period are the most impactful welfare interventions.