Goat Welfare at Capra Cymru
You deserve to know how your food is produced
If you’re here, it likely means one thing, you care about animal welfare.
So do we.
At Capra Cymru, how we raise our goats matters just as much as the cheese and yogurt we make from their milk. This isn’t a large-scale operation. it’s a smallholding in Carmarthenshire where every goat is known, handled daily, and cared for as an individual.
Why this matters
In many systems, goats and their kids are separated early, and production is prioritised.
We’ve chosen a different approach.
For us, welfare comes first, always.
How we raise our goats
Week 1: Birth & Bonding
Our kids are born naturally and stay with their mothers from the very beginning.
They feed directly from their mum and spend their first days doing what nature intended, bonding, resting, and gaining strength.
The first few days are especially important, as this is when they receive colostrum, the mother’s first milk, rich in antibodies that help build their immune system and protect them in early life.
We only step in if support is needed. Otherwise, we let them settle naturally into the herd.
Weeks 2–4: Growing Strong
The kids remain with their mothers full-time.
They begin to explore their surroundings, interact with other goats, and build confidence, while still feeding naturally.
At this stage, consistent access to their mother’s milk supports steady growth and helps strengthen their developing immune system.
Weeks 4–8: Play, Milk & Development
This is when their personalities really start to show.
They’re still feeding from their mothers but becoming more independent playing, climbing, and learning herd behaviour.
This natural development phase is important for both physical strength and social learning within the herd.
Weaning (Natural Transition)
Weaning happens gradually and naturally.
There’s no sudden separation instead, the kids slowly rely less on milk over time as they transition onto solid feed.
This gradual approach helps reduce stress for both mother and kid and supports healthier development overall.
What happens to male kids?
This is an important question and one we believe should be answered openly.
As a smallholding, we can’t keep all male goats long term. However, we make sure they are:
- Fully weaned before leaving the farm
- Rehomed carefully and responsibly
- Placed with smallholders or suitable homes where their welfare will continue to be a priority
We take this responsibility seriously and never move animals on without ensuring they are ready and going to the right place.
A small herd, cared for properly
We are not a large commercial farm.
We have a small, growing herd, and that allows us to:
- Know each goat individually
- Monitor their health and behaviour daily
- Give them the time and care they need
Living in a stable herd environment allows goats to express natural behaviours, which is an important part of their overall wellbeing.
Their wellbeing isn’t a process it’s part of our everyday life.
See it for yourself
We regularly share real, behind-the-scenes moments from the farm, from kidding season to cheese-making days.
If you’d like to see how we work day-to-day, you can follow along here:
Why it matters when you buy from us
When you choose Capra Cymru, you’re not just buying goat cheese or yogurt.
You’re supporting a way of farming that:
- Puts animal welfare first
- Works with nature, not against it
- Stays small, intentional, and transparent
Want to go beyond just buying?
If animal welfare matters to you, you might also like our Adopt a Goat option.
It’s a simple way to support the farm and follow the lives of the goats more closely, with updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments from the herd.
It’s completely optional, but for many people, it’s a way to feel more connected to where their food comes from.
If you care about where your food comes from you’re in the right place
Explore our current products here:
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