(A) Tusk trimming is an acceptable
procedure and, if performed, must be performed in a humane manner with the use
of pain management, taking care to cut the tusks level with the gums without
damaging the gums.
(B) All swine housing systems
must:
(1) Have a stocking
density that allows all pigs to easily lie down fully on their side at the same
time without having to lie on each other and be able to easily stand back up at
all stages of production, and in addition all animals can access feed and water
without excessive competition;
(2) Be regularly
inspected and maintained by the responsible party to verify that all mechanical
devices and the water and feed delivery system are in working
condition;
(3) Permit visual
inspection of animals:
(a) Light intensity must be adequate for observation during
inspection; and,
(b) If natural light is not available, artificial light must be
provided for at the least the normal period of daylight hours;
(4) Allow sows and boars
in stalls or pens to do each of the following:
(a) Lie down fully on its side in full lateral recumbency without
the head having to rest on a raised feeder and have the rear quarters coming in
contact with the back of the stall or pen at the same time; and,
(b) Stand without the back touching the top of the stall or
pen.
(C) Outdoor housing for all stages of
production must provide:
(1) A regular, ample
supply of bedding in cold weather;
(2) Access to facilities
or natural features that provide reasonable protection from adverse weather
conditions and predators; and,
(3) A method to
facilitate thermo regulation, such as a natural wallow.
(D) Farrowing sow and piglet housing
must:
(1) Be clean, dry and
sanitary;
(2) Provide effective
protection and appropriate thermal environment for the piglets and comfort for
the sow; and
(3) Be designed to
maximize neo-natal piglet welfare, and farrowing stalls can be used on all new
and existing farms.
(E) All sows farrowing outdoors must be
provided with:
(1) Shade for farrowing
in hot weather; and,
(2) Shelter from
prevailing winds and a regular, ample supply of bedding to minimize frost bite
for farrowing in cold weather.
(F) Post weaning indoor housing systems
must meet the following conditions:
(1) In mechanically
ventilated facilities, weaned piglets must be housed in clean, dry,
well-heated, draft-free facilities;
(2) Indoor housing
systems that have no mechanical heating or ventilation systems
must:
(a) Adequately protect pigs from direct sunlight and adverse
weather conditions;
(b) Provide supplemental heat or a regular, ample supply of
bedding in cold weather; and,
(c) Have water and feed supply systems that function properly and
be readily accessible under all weather conditions.
(G) Indoor housing systems for breeding,
gestating sows and gilts must meet the following conditions:
(1) Mixing must be done
in a manner which minimizes aggression and the risk of injury;
(2) Pens for breeding
should have non-slip floors and must be large enough for comfortable movement
during breeding activities;
(3) Pens may be used for
breeding and gestation;
(4) Gestation stalls can
be used in all existing facilities until December 31, 2025; after which
breeding/gestation stalls can only be used post weaning for a period of time
that seeks to maximize embryonic welfare and allows for the confirmation of
pregnancy;
(5) After the effective
date of this rule, any new construction designed to house breeding/gestating
sows, including new construction on an existing facility, must not utilize
gestation stalls, except to allow sows to be housed in breeding/gestation
stalls for a period of time that seeks to maximize embryonic welfare and allows
for the confirmation of pregnancy;
(6) After December 31,
2025, individual stall housing will be allowed for special circumstances that
jeopardizes the swine's welfare. Special circumstances include but are
not limited to injured, frail, thin or aggressive swine;
(7) Until December 31,
2025, any existing facility may be replaced in the case of a catastrophic
event, including but not limited to fire, flood, wind or building collapse that
requires new construction to replace the existing facility; and,
(8) Nothing in this rule
shall be construed so as to prohibit the repair and/or maintenance of existing
gestation stalls.
(H) In boar housing systems, the
unnecessary mixing or the introduction of new animals into established groups
must be avoided to minimize aggression and the risk of injury.
