Dustbathing is a fundamental behavioural need for laying hens, and its absence in conventional cage systems causes chronic frustration and welfare compromise.
Hens unable to dustbathe adequately show vacuum dustbathing — performing the movements on wire floors — indicating persistent frustration of a highly motivated behavioural need. Enriched cages that provide inadequate substrate quality or access areas do not fully satisfy this need. High-quality litter that allows full wing spreading and rolling behaviour is required. Cage-free systems with sufficient litter access, managed to prevent wet and compacted substrate, best meet this welfare requirement.