Farm Animal Welfare

Hen Welfare and Dust Bathing Motivation

Dust bathing is a highly motivated behaviour in hens. Provision of appropriate dust bathing substrate is a welfare requirement that improves feather and skin health.

Key Facts

Hens show 'vacuum' dust bathing on wire floors when substrate is unavailable
Dust bathing motivation builds over 24 hours in deprived hens
Fine particulate substrate including fine litter or sand satisfies dust bathing needs
Dust bathing improves feather cleanliness and reduces ectoparasite burden
Enriched cages with dustbath provision show less vacuum dust bathing than bare cages

Welfare Considerations

Dust bathing deprivation frustrates a strongly motivated behaviour and causes welfare harm. Provision of appropriate substrate in all laying hen systems is a welfare requirement that is achievable across production types.

What You Can Do

Choose egg products from production systems providing dust bathing substrate
Advocate for dust bathing provision standards in laying hen legislation
Learn about laying hen behavioural needs and the welfare implications of deprivation
Support welfare certification schemes with behaviour provision requirements