Bernalillo County, NM Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Feeding/watering interval
- At least every 12 hours
- Crating standard
- Bird must stand erect
- Max fine
- $300
- Max jail term
- 90 days
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Care Services
Summary
Confined wild or domestic fowl and birds in unincorporated Bernalillo County must get food and water at least every 12 hours, and crated birds must be able to stand erect unless it would injure them.
It is unlawful for a person to confine any wild or domestic fowl or birds unless provisions are made by such person for the proper feeding and the furnishing of water to such fowl or birds at intervals not longer than 12 hours. No person shall impound wild or domestic fowl or birds in a crate, box or other enclosure unless such fowl or bird is in a natural erect position unless such position causes injury or damage to the fowl or bird.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County Code § 6-60 makes it unlawful to confine any wild or domestic fowl or bird without arranging proper feeding and watering at intervals no longer than 12 hours. The same section bars impounding fowl or birds in a crate, box, or other enclosure unless the bird can stand in a natural erect position, unless that position would itself injure the bird. The rule sits inside Chapter 6's animal cruelty and welfare article and applies countywide in the unincorporated area; Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras enforce their own animal codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 6-60 is a Code violation under the general penalty, § 1-6: up to a $300 fine, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, enforced by Bernalillo County Animal Care Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must confined birds be fed and watered in Bernalillo County?
Can I crate a bird in any position?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico animal ordinances overview
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