Dust bathing is one of the strongest behavioral motivations in laying hens and its denial in cage systems causes frustration that represents a core welfare failure.
Dust bathing motivation in hens is so strong that it persists even when the behavior cannot be performed — hens go through the motions on bare wire floors, a visible expression of frustrated behavioral drive. This behavioral need, alongside nesting and perching, defines why caged housing is incompatible with adequate hen welfare. Substrate quality and availability in cage-free systems vary enormously and require monitoring.