Dustbathing is a highly motivated behaviour in hens that serves feather maintenance and ectoparasite control. Providing suitable dustbathing substrate is a positive welfare requirement that improves feather condition and reduces feather pecking.
Hens that cannot dustbathe show persistent attempts to dustbathe on wire or slatted floors (vacuum dustbathing), demonstrating the strength of the motivation. Good litter quality that allows normal dustbathing reduces feather pecking incidence and improves feather cover, with cascading benefits for skin condition and thermoregulation. Dustbathing is both a positive welfare behaviour and, when provided, reduces negative welfare outcomes through reduced pecking.