Areas of the barn with high animal densities (e.g. collecting areas) might be critical in terms of injuries and social stress, especially for horned goats. At present there are no studies available regarding health and behaviour. For this study, 66 goats (11 without horns, 55 horned; Bunte Deutsche Edelziege) were randomly assigned to two groups. Three experiments took place during a period of six weeks. In each experiment, treatments were applied for two weeks with a cross-over design. In experiment 1 and 2 the influence of space allowance (0.4 vs. 0.7m²/animal) offering different basic shapes (experiment 1: rectangular, experiment 2: long and narrow) was tested. The influence of different basic shapes at a space allowance of 0.4m²/animal was tested separately in experiment 3. Agonistic and socio-positive behaviour was observed by continuous behaviour sampling before (15 min) and during (1 hour) morning and evening milkings on four days of the week. The scoring of fresh skin lesions took place at the beginning and end of every week. For each experiment, behaviour was analyzed using linear mixed models. Data on skin lesions were analyzed descriptively. In both experiments 1 and 2, threatening (p < 0.01-0.05), head butts (p < 0.05) as well as total agonistic behaviours (p < 0.01-0.05) occurred significantly more often with lower space allowance (before as well as during milking). In experiment 2, more socio-positive behaviours were found, when more space was available (p < 0.05). Shape (experiment 3) significantly affected the rare behaviours clashing and kicking only; both increased with rectangular shape (p < 0.05). Skin lesions were rare and no clear influence of either space allowance or shape was found. The effects of shape on social behaviour were minor; therefore the most efficient way to reduce agonistic interactions is to provide more space in the collecting area.