Thermal disbudding in goat kids in the Netherlands: Current practice, complications and considerations

Objectives of the present paper were to review the process of thermal disbudding in goat kids in the Netherlands. We describe possible complications and propose considerations and suggestions for best practice for disbudding of goat kids. Thermal disbudding of approximately one to two week old female dairy goat kids is common practice in Dutch dairy goat farming in order to prevent injuries and optimise use of feeding space. Thermal disbudding is a painful procedure. This should be addressed to prevent potential welfare problems as well as subsequent complications. This report describes curren... Mehr ...