Dust bathing is a highly motivated behaviour in domestic poultry that is systematically frustrated in conventional cage and barn systems, causing significant welfare harm.
Dust bathing is not merely a luxury — it is a fundamental behavioural need in poultry with strong motivational basis. Hens will work hard to access dust bathing substrate even when fed ad libitum. Frustration of this need causes chronic stress and contributes to feather pecking and aggression in crowded housing. The fact that hens perform vacuum dust bathing (going through the motions on wire) demonstrates the intensity of the motivation. Providing sufficient suitable substrate — sand, peat or other loose materials — is a minimum welfare requirement for commercial poultry.