Dustbathing is a fundamental behavioural need for laying hens, performed for skin and feather maintenance. Denying access to suitable substrate is a major welfare deficit in conventional cage systems.
Dustbathing motivation in hens is so strong that birds denied substrate will perform the behaviour on bare floors — a sign of a powerful unmet need. The frustrated motivation causes chronic stress. Enriched (colony) cages include a dustbathing area but research consistently shows that the substrate quality and space provided is insufficient for full behavioural expression. Higher-welfare systems with adequate litter provision allow hens to dustbathe properly, significantly improving their welfare. The dustbathing need is a useful welfare indicator — systems that meet it tend to meet other behavioural needs as well.