Sec. 821.003. TREATMENT OF LIVE BIRDS. (a) This section applies to a person who receives live birds for transportation or for confinement:

(1) on wagons or stands;

(2) by a person who owns a grocery store, commission house, or other market house; or

(3) by any other person if the birds are to be closely confined.

(b) The person shall immediately place the birds in coops, crates, or cages that are made of open slats or wire on at least three sides and that are of a height so that the birds can stand upright without touching the top.

(c) The person shall keep clean water and suitable food in troughs or other receptacles in the coops, crates, or cages. The troughs or other receptacles must be easily accessible to the confined birds and must be placed so that the birds cannot defile their contents.

(d) The person shall keep the coops, crates, or cages in a clean and wholesome condition and may place in each coop, crate, or cage only the number of birds that have room to move around and to stand without crowding each other.

(e) The person may not expose the birds to undue heat or cold and shall immediately remove all injured, diseased, or dead birds from the coops, crates, or cages.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.