Identification and Validation of Operational Welfare Indicators Appropriate for Small-Scale Goat Farming in Chile

Abstract

Goat production in Chile is carried by small-scale farmers obtaining milk and cheese as the main products. The welfare of goats under these types of production systems is currently unknown and no appropriate validated operational welfare indicators are currently available. We took the tasks of identifying operational welfare indicators and validating them with all stakeholders. A total of 37 operational welfare indicators were obtained. The use of these validated indicators and the welfare score is appropriate to Chilean goat production systems and may successfully increase the sustainability of production and farmers in Chile.

Keywords

• behaviour
• sustainable
• value-added
• appropriate
• welfare