Dust bathing is a fundamental behavioural need in hens that is frustrated in most commercial housing systems.
Dust bathing is not optional for hens — it is as fundamental as eating or drinking. When substrate is unavailable, hens perform the behaviour in the air (vacuum dust bathing), indicating strong motivation that cannot be suppressed. Welfare systems that provide litter depth sufficient for genuine dust bathing produce hens with better feather condition, lower fearfulness, and fewer pecking injuries. The provision of dust bathing substrate is a minimal requirement for any welfare-conscious laying hen system.