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Poultry technician - Rearing

Poultry technician - Rearing

Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Level 3 - Technical Occupation

Raising animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of life

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Reference: OCC0467E

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £24,696 per year

SOC 2020 code: 9111 Farm workers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 5111/06 Poultry farmers
  • 9111/00 Farm labourers

Technical Education Products

ST0467:

Poultry technician - Rearing

(Level 3)

Approved for delivery

TL0018e:

Agriculture, Land Management and Production - Livestock Production

(Level 3)

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Faccenda Foods, Moy Park, PD Hook, Cargill, Gressingham, Banham, Bernard Matthews, Kelly’s Turkeys, Cobb Europe, BSF Partnership

Summary

The agriculture industry offers exciting and varied careers in the UK and abroad providing unique opportunities for young people to work in a technically advanced and innovative environment, producing one of the country’s most important products – food. Businesses within the industry range from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain. A Poultry Technician is responsible for the management and control of a complex poultry farming site or operational agriculture (hatchery) unit, including responsibility for the performance and results of their site, raising animals with optimal welfare and consideration for their needs throughout the different stages of life, compliance at all times with hygiene, safety and bird welfare legislation - and customer standards which go beyond legislative compliance, maintenance of the facility, management of the personnel of the site and all other visitors to site. The nature of the process and the need for optimum growth in an exacting time window requires specific expertise and skills in poultry husbandry relevant to their stage in the poultry supply chain - egg production, rearing, breeding, hatching or growing - together with knowledge of the other stages of the process. These are permanent stages in the process and not seasonal roles. For this reason this standard is formed of a core and options. To complete the standard a Poultry Technician should complete the core elements and one option. This requirement is further strengthened by the nature of the work which normally means working without close supervision, meaning they must be entirely proficient and competent in the process. One option will be taken in addition to the core knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Faccenda Foods, Moy Park, PD Hook, Cargill, Gressingham, Banham, Bernard Matthews, Kelly’s Turkeys, Cobb Europe, BSF Partnership

eco

Mid Green occupation

Keywords:

Animal Welfare
Animals
Farming Sites
Poultry
Poultry Farming

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: Relevant species/breed, its anatomy, diseases, feed requirements, and general characteristics.
K2: Signals and behaviours to look for that indicate health or welfare issues and the actions required to mitigate them.
K3: Safety, hygiene and biosecurity legislation, codes and practice relevant to the operation and how they are applied effectively.
K4: 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 together with the specific requirements appropriate for the species / point in the growth cycle including environmental conditions, correct processes for culling disposal and despatch, manual handling/ transport procedures and stocking densities.
K5: End to end process of the operation, the stages within it and the understanding of how to deliver good performance as well as an awareness of the role of their operation within the wider supply chain.
K6: Performance requirements of the operation including relevant cost, growth, mortality, waste, hygiene and safety metrics and the techniques and expertise required to influence them to deliver effective performance.
K7: Standard operating procedures, methods of stock control, record keeping, and reporting relevant to their operation.
K8: Running of their operation in terms of facility management, knowledge of systems, technology, software, machinery, and equipment. (some examples include feed and water equipment, ventilation panels, egg packing machinery and incubation equipment dependant on the stage in the process)  Necessary legislation, ethical code of practice and relevant policy and process, necessary to supervise and manage employees and contract/agency workers in their operation.
K9: How to apply effectively all elements required for brooding including Equipment, e.g brooders / heaters, feeders, drinkers, lights’ resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision and why it is important that these are completed correctly
K10: The factors that can impact on the growth targets required for organisational purposes
K11: The factors and causes that can affect the condition and physical characteristics of males and why this makes them suitable or unsuitable for breeding
K12: Full principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration

S1: Site Upkeep: Will maintain upkeep of the site to ensure legal compliance in line with welfare regulations and all relevant legislation and customer ethical standards. Carries out site audits and maintenance of the information system. Effectively manages the use of utilities, resources and equipment to control waste and optimise efficiency.
S2: Health & Safety: Complies with and enforce the company health and safety rules; works in a safe manner and maintain a safe working environment. Takes responsibility for all personnel’s health and safety on site. Ensures all accidents and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner. Ensures that safety procedures and health regulations are followed at site by all staff and visitors.
S3: Biosecurity: Delivers full biosecurity compliance on their site in line with industry, company and customer standards for each poultry breed. Implements corrective actions when required.
S4: Hygiene and food safety: Takes responsibility for site and personal hygiene procedures. Provides a clean environment in line with agreed standards for the facility. Delivers personal hygiene compliance of themselves and all workers on their site.
S5: Bird Handling: Prepares facilities for arrival / departure of birds. Coordinates the movement and transport of birds safely, effectively and compassionately without undue stress, ensuring the use of appropriate manual handling techniques.
S6: Welfare: Demonstrate the technical skills needed to ensure the health of the birds/hatching eggs is maintained at all times and capable of dealing with potential welfare issues. Identifies and diagnose problems early and ensure appropriate measures are taken.
S7: Environment: Identifies the relevant environmental controls for the specific poultry breed/ system/ customer or egg programme, analyses when adjustments are required. and applies as appropriate (as relevant for the species/ point in growth cycle).
S8: Operations: Manages, maintains and operates equipment (relevant to age/breed/bird requirement) safely and effectively. Maintains, monitors and utilises technology and systems appropriate to the operation. Coordinates and conducts appropriate checks, and maintains/updates/keeps records as relevant. monitor and report on performance and then take appropriate action.
S9: Standards: Adhere to and apply welfare codes of practice including the 5 freedoms as described in knowledge section. Apply and act on business/industry and legislative requirements including industry assurance standards. Implements and maintains compliance through understanding of the standards applicable to poultry and reporting and resolving non-compliance; Contribute to assurance standard audits.
S10: People: Effectively manages the poultry staff at the site or if there are no reports, ensures compliance with all necessary rules and protocols by cleaning, catching and other contractors visiting site. Where people are managed; takes full responsibility for recruitment, training, employee relations and communication. Communicates effectively with internal colleagues and external stakeholders as appropriate.
S11: Brooding Procedures –prepare, monitor and maintain necessary equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds. Manage appropriate feed and water provision
S12: Rear birds to suitable / target weight and condition for breeding utilising people and resources as required. Assess and monitor that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements
S13: Bring birds into lay by identifying and selecting suitable males for breeding.
S14: Prepare and administer vaccine correctly.

B1: Leads by example, through their actions and behaviour, shows a strong work ethic through punctuality, consistent standards, diligence in the quality of their work, a positive attitude and good attention to detail.
B2: Takes appropriate responsibility and ownership of decision making for good welfare practice, care of animals integrity/ethics in the process and site standards.
B3: Challenges themselves and others, embraces new ways of thinking, and encourages others to do the same. Displays a positive mind set, through their willingness to learn, proactive approach, ability to act on their own initiative, and willingness to solve problems and acquire new skills.
B4: Manages and coaches others effectively, work well with colleagues and, communicates and gives feedback effectively, shows respect for other people and gives them time and support.
B5: Looks to continuously improve their operation, adapt quickly to changing conditions, technologies, situations and working environments. Able to prioritise effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.
B6: Maintains quality of work under pressure, demonstrates resilience and determination, shown in their commitment, consistency in results and overall dedication to their work.

Occupational Progression

This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.

In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.

It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.

Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.

Technical Occupations

Levels 2-3

Higher Technical Occupations

Levels 4-5

Professional Occupations

Levels 6-7

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Level 2

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Level 3

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Agriculture, environmental and animal care