Sozialverhalten von Milchziegen in kleinen Gruppen und Folgerungen für die Strukturierung eines Laufstalls

Summary

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.