Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, El-Gamma Street, 12613, Giza, Egypt.
General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2023 May 2;55(3):181. doi: 10.1007/s11250-023-03598-0.
The stocking density (animal/area, SD) is one of the significant factors that influence the welfare and performance of animals. However, there are discrepancies in the recommended SD for fiber, meat, and dairy goats, which means farming practices and welfare standards for goats should be better defined. Therefore, this review article sheds light on 1) some differences between goats and sheep. 2) the geographical distribution of fiber, meat type, and dairy goat populations. 3) effects of interaction between SD and group size on social, feeding, and aggressive behaviors. 4) the effects of SD on meat and milk production. 5) the relationship between SD and reproductive performance. In conclusion, the larger space allowance with access to an outdoor yard can improve species-specific behaviors and meat and milk yield. Moreover, goats are more sensitive to high SD (less than 3 m/ goat), especially during the last stage of the gestation period. Allowing optimal floor space for each breed is important to avoid the undesired behavioral response. Conclusively, improving the housing aspects, including floor space and enrichment tools, would assist in implementing welfare-economic production standards for goats.
饲养密度（动物/面积，SD）是影响动物福利和性能的重要因素之一。然而，对于纤维、肉用和奶用山羊，推荐的 SD 存在差异，这意味着应该更好地定义山羊的养殖实践和福利标准。因此，本文综述了 1）山羊和绵羊之间的一些差异。2）纤维、肉用型和奶用型山羊种群的地理分布。3）SD 与群体大小相互作用对社会、喂养和攻击行为的影响。4）SD 对肉和奶产量的影响。5）SD 与繁殖性能的关系。总之，较大的空间允许并提供户外场地，可以改善特定物种的行为以及肉和奶的产量。此外，山羊对高密度（小于 3 平方米/只）更敏感，尤其是在妊娠后期。为避免不必要的行为反应，为每个品种提供最佳的地面空间很重要。总之，改善饲养环境，包括地面空间和丰富工具，将有助于实施山羊福利-经济效益生产标准。
