http://orgprints.org/14251/ Sozialverhalten von Milchziegen in kleinen Gruppen und Folgerungen für die Strukturierung eines Laufstalls Due to their rank-based relationships goats must observe a certain distance to each other (individual distance). However, this is not always possible in the limited space of a loose-housing pen and can therefore be the reason for frequent aggressive social interactions. In this study, the size of the individual distances between goats, influencing factors, modifications of the feeding place and the loose-housing pens were tested with respect to reducing aggressive behaviour. For most of the goats possible individual distances at feeding were > 0.4m. This is more than the recommended space of a feeding place per goat. Modifications of the feeding place and the loose-housing pen included solid partitions and lying niches allowing for visual cover. Another feature consisted of elevated levels by platforms at different heights. All the measures were effective in reducing aggressive behaviour. Aschwanden, Janine Gygax, Lorenz Wechsler, Beat Keil, Nina M. 7animalhealth int-conf-2009-wita-2-tierhaltung ch-bvet Sozialverhalten von Milchziegen in kleinen Gruppen und Folgerungen für die Strukturierung eines Laufstalls 2009-04-15 Aschwanden, Janine; Gygax, Lorenz; Wechsler, Beat and Keil, Nina M. (2009) Sozialverhalten von Milchziegen in kleinen Gruppen und Folgerungen für die Strukturierung eines Laufstalls. [Social behaviour of goats in small groups and conclusions for the structuring of loose-housing systems.] 10. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Zürich, 11. bis 13. Februar 2009. application/pdf