Dustbathing is one of the most strongly motivated behaviours in laying hens. Denying it causes frustration and compromises welfare even in otherwise enriched environments.
Dustbathing represents a textbook example of how welfare is not just about preventing suffering but enabling positive behaviour. Hens are highly motivated to dustbathe — studies show they will work for access to dustbathing substrate, and denial causes visible frustration expressed through vacuum dustbathing. Battery cages that allow no dustbathing are banned in the EU for this reason, but the quality of dustbathing provision in enriched colony systems varies enormously. The best systems provide deep, dry, friable substrate that allows full bathing behaviour with multiple hens simultaneously. This single provision improves feather condition, reduces feather pecking aggression, and is a reliable indicator of positive welfare experience.