La. Admin. Code tit. 7 § XXI-2111

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XXI-2111 - Porcine (Formerly Section 3109)

A. Housing

1. If housed outdoors, shelter shall be readily available to swine so as to minimize the compromise to their health from heat and adverse weather.

2. If housed indoors, facilities shall be maintained so as to minimize the compromise to health from heat and adverse weather.

3. For any swine housed in a primary enclosure, such as a farrowing stall or gestation crate, the swine shall be able to:

a. lie in full recumbency without its head touching a feeder;

b. rise and lie down comfortably at will; and

c. stand so as to not touch more than one side of the enclosure simultaneously and so as to not touch the top of the primary enclosure.

4. Flooring shall be designed or managed so as to minimize slipping and so as to prevent urine scald to the swine.

5. If nursing piglets, the enclosure shall allow the sow to lie down as to minimize injury or death of her piglets.

B. Nutrition and Water

1. Feed shall be provided in methods so as to minimize aggression and resultant injury to swine.

2. Any mechanical devices used to deliver feed or water shall be kept clean so as to minimize the spread of infectious disease, and shall be regularly inspected to ensure proper function.

C. Animal Husbandry Procedures

1. Animal husbandry procedures include, but are not limited to:

a. castration, needle teeth clipping, tail docking, ear notching, tattooing, and ear tagging;

b. shall be performed only as necessary to protect animal and human health;

c. allow animal management and production; and

d. allow product attributes.

2. Animal husbandry procedures shall be performed in a timely manner and physiologic state so as to minimize pain and distress including:

a. clipping of needle teeth performed before five days of age;

b. teeth clipped at the tip of the tooth rather than the gum line;

c. ear notching, tail docking, and castration performed before five days of age.

D. Farrowing and Piglet Management

1. Temperature control shall be provided in order to allow newborn pigs to maintain normal body temperature.

E. Specific Recommendations on All Aspects of Swine Production

1. Producers shall consult the current Swine Care Handbook published by the National Pork Board.

La. Admin. Code tit. 7, § XXI-2111

Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, Board of Animal Health, LR 39:3242 (December 2013), repromulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety and the Board of Animal Health, LR 40:989 (May 2014).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2095.1.