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home Agriculture, environmental and animal care
Poultry worker - Poultry rearing worker

Poultry worker - Poultry rearing worker

Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Level 2 - Technical Occupation

Optimise the welfare of poultry and consider their needs throughout the different stages of their lives

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Reference: OCC0389E

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Technical Education Products

ST0389:

Poultry worker - Poultry rearing worker

(Level 2)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Avara Foods, Moy Park, NFU, PD Hook Group, Poultec Training Ltd, Red Tractor Assurance, TQUK

Summary

This occupation is found in businesses within the poultry industry ranging from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to optimise the welfare of poultry and consider their needs throughout the different stages of their lives. This is practical work involving a combination of technology and manual labour. Being a poultry worker requires compassion, self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and as a team player. A poultry worker supports the bird development process, maintaining bird accommodation and preparing and monitoring the livestock production environment whether this is on a farm or in a hatchery. 

Poultry workers are employed in breeding, egg production, grow out, hatching and rearing focussed occupations.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their supervisor, colleagues and other visitors to the site, such as Government officials. 

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for their own work but will work under supervision, understanding their limits and knowing when to ask for help. They are responsible for adhering to company procedures, legislation and regulations to ensure animal welfare and the health and safety of themselves and others. They will work to performance targets while maintaining effective biosecurity on site. 

 

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Avara Foods, Moy Park, NFU, PD Hook Group, Poultec Training Ltd, Red Tractor Assurance, TQUK

Typical job titles include:

Poultry worker

Keywords:

Animal Care
Farming
Poultry
Poultry Farming
Poultry Worker

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: The relevant species or breeds, their characteristics, behaviours, production cycle, and welfare requirements. (Core)
K2: Importance of food safety, including personal hygiene and good hygiene practice and procedures relevant to site environment. (Core)
K3: Health and safety requirements for the individual and the workplace including relevant company procedures and legislative standards. (Core)
K4: Safe and effective methods of operating and maintaining equipment appropriate to the site environment. (Core)
K5: Importance of biosecurity and the procedures and controls that have to be in place to maintain it, including general security rules relevant to the site. (Core)
K6: Environmental conditions relevant to the species and point in the life cycle and the impact of any change. (Core)
K7: Procedures for humane culling, storing and disposal. (Core)
K8: Relevant welfare codes of practice including the five freedoms; Freedom from hunger and thirst, Freedom from discomfort, Freedom from pain, injury or disease, Freedom to express normal behaviour, Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. (Core)
K9: The impact of the poultry worker in relation to animal welfare. (Core)
K10: Signals and behaviours that indicate animal health or welfare issues and the actions required to mitigate them. (Core)
K11: Business and industry legislative requirements, including industry assurance standards. (Core)
K12: Methods for stock control, record keeping and reporting. (Core)
K13: Relevant costs, waste management procedures, bird metrics and site targets necessary to deliver effective performance. (Core)
K14: Relevant technology appropriate to the process, for example controls and software. (Core)
K35: Growth targets required for organisational purposes. (Rearing)
K36: Equipment, resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision required for brooding birds (Rearing)
K37: The condition and physical characteristics of males suitable and unsuitable for breeding. (Rearing)
K38: Procedures for handling, storing, moving and transporting birds. (Rearing)
K39: Principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration. (Rearing)
K40: How birds should be handled and placed in new environments. (Rearing)

S1: Works in a safe manner and maintains a safe working environment. (Core)
S2: Carries out the relevant site procedures and report incidents or unsafe conditions. (Core)
S3: Implements and monitors site biosecurity rules and procedures and implements corrective actions when required. (Core)
S4: Follows site security rules. (Core)
S5: Implements site and personal hygiene procedures, including relevant rules for entering & leaving site. (Core)
S6: Maintains a clean environment in line with agreed standards for the facility. (Core)
S7: Applies and uses appropriate manual handling techniques. (Core)
S8: Monitors and maintains the health of the bird or egg. (Core)
S9: Diagnoses bird or egg condition and acts appropriately. (Core)
S10: Operates environmental control systems in line with operating instructions or procedures taking into account the species and point in life cycle. (Core)
S11: Maintains and operates equipment safely and effectively relevant to the age, breed and bird requirements, for example, ventilation, feeding equipment, drinking equipment, incubators, nest boxes. (Core)
S12: Utilises technology and systems appropriate to the operation, for example, a computerised shed environmental management equipment, hatchery processing equipment, environmental testing equipment, egg grading and packing equipment. (Core)
S13: Conducts appropriate equipment and welfare checks in a timely manner, and maintains, records in accordance with company procedures. (Core)
S14: Monitors and reports performance metrics for operations. (Core)
S15: Adheres to and applies welfare codes of practice including the five freedoms. (Core)
S16: Applies and acts on business, industry and legislative requirements including industry assurance standards relevant to the operation. (Core)
S17: Adapts communication style to suit the audience. (Core)
S18: Uses problem solving skills in carrying out roles and tasks. (Core)
S19: Interacts effectively with colleagues, managers and site visitors. (Core)
S48: Assists with preparing and administering vaccines and treatments in accordance with instructions. (Rearing)
S49: Assists with preparing necessary equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds and prepares appropriate feed and water taking account of brooding and growing procedures appropriate to species. (Rearing)
S50: Prepares facilities for arrival and departure of birds. (Rearing)
S51: Monitors and provides feed and water. (Rearing)
S52: Assists with rearing birds to suitable target weight and condition for breeding, (Rearing)
S53: Handles birds in the appropriate manner and places in correct area in suitable quantities in accordance with defined codes of practice. (Rearing)
S54: Assists with preparing and administering vaccine s and treatments in accordance with instructions. (Rearing)
S55: Assesses the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements and instructions. (Rearing)
S56: Moves and transports birds safely, effectively and compassionately without undue stress. (Rearing)

B1: Team focused and works effectively with colleagues and others. (Core)
B2: Supports an inclusive workplace. (Core)
B3: Demonstrates a strong work ethic, including pride in work, attention to detail, integrity and good time management. (Core)
B4: Committed to continuous professional development. (Core)
B5: Contributes to a sustainable workplace. (Core)
B6: Takes responsibility for adopting good animal welfare practices. (Core)
B7: Adapts to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environment. (Core)

Duties

Duty D1

Recognise normal signs of behaviour relevant to species and method of production and report to site manager.

Duty D2

Support the team in the day to day running of the farm or hatchery.

Duty D3

Ensure biosecurity measures are adhered to in order to help keep the birds free from disease.

Duty D4

Follow instructions and guidance given by the site manager.

Duty D5

Assist in managing the environment, and equipment appropriate to the species and production system.

Duty D6

Complete husbandry records as required.

Duty D7

Assist with the monitoring and recording of performance.

Duty D8

Assist with keeping the site tidy and well maintained.

Duty D9

Observe and maintain organisational safe working practices.

Duty D10

Monitor and maintain site security.

Duty D26

Assist with brooding procedures.

Duty D27

Handle birds correctly.

Duty D28

Select birds for rearing.

Duty D29

Assist with vaccination of birds.

Duty D30

Prepare for catching and receiving birds.

Duty D31

Provide and monitor feed and water.