Dust bathing is one of the most strongly motivated behaviors in chickens and its absence in conventional systems represents a significant welfare compromise.
Dust bathing is among the most clearly documented and strongly motivated natural behaviors in chickens. Research has established that it is driven by a biological clock and performed regardless of dust availability — hens on bare wire cages perform vacuum sham dust bathing that satisfies none of the functional needs of the behavior. Dust bathing maintains feather condition, controls ectoparasites, and appears to provide psychological satisfaction. Its absence in cage systems represents a daily welfare deprivation for billions of hens. Providing dustbathing substrates in cage-free systems is a practical welfare improvement that reduces stress and improves feather condition.