Deep litter systems provide laying hens with the rooting and dustbathing opportunities fundamental to their welfare — when managed well, they represent a significant welfare advance over bare floor systems.
Deep litter systems create the closest approximation to natural substrate available in commercial cage-free laying hen production. The ability to scratch, probe and move through loose material satisfies foraging, dustbathing and exploratory behavioural drives simultaneously. The welfare benefit requires ongoing management commitment — wet, compacted litter provides no dustbathing benefit and creates footpad disease risk. The investment in quality deep litter management, while more labour-intensive than bare slat or thin litter systems, produces welfare outcomes that are measurably superior across multiple indicators and is often associated with better feather cover, lower mortality and better production quality.