The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

follow requirements of breeding program to produce the required species and strains

monitor and observe animals and report on breeding cycle

communicate effectively with supervisor and follow instructions

carry out breeding, hatching or parturition and weaning procedures in accordance with organisations policies and procedures

carry out post-weaning management

maintain accurate breeding program and animal health-related records.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out simple breeding procedures must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. This can include work with native, exotic or domestic animals in large or small animal care or research facilities and/or situations.

There must be access to a range of animals relevant to the work role as well as the required information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

case studies

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

care for neonates and juveniles

employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals and feed

evaluate behaviour, signs and objective measures that may indicate animal health is at risk

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

prepare facilities and appropriate environments for breeding animals, embryo development, hatching or parturition and nursing animals

recognise courtship, copulation, combat and signs of behavioural and physical changes associated with reproduction

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS); breeding programs; infection control and waste management procedures; and record details and information accurately and legibly

oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment

use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge

anatomical and physiological structures and functions related to animal reproductive health and wellbeing of commonly held animals

anatomical and physiological terminology, glossary of terms and nomenclature related to animal reproduction

basic principles of genetics

best breeding systems, methods and traits to produce the best possible production rates, health and wellbeing of animals related to species concerned

commonly used genetic terms and concepts, including phenotype, genotype, cell differentiation and genetic integrity

functions and requirements of a breeding colony where relevant

housing requirements for mother and young of relevant species

mating behaviour of commonly held animals

natural breeding behaviours and biology, including seasonal and non-seasonality of reproduction

nutrition and health requirements of commonly held animals at different stages of their life and reproductive cycle

normal and abnormal animal behaviour

organisation policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures and breeding plan

principles of animal welfare and ethics

purpose of different aspects of breeding data and records

methods used to measure, interpret and record animals weight and other objective measures of animal health

relevant OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice

reproductive terminology

safe work practices

signs of animal well being, illness, injury or other health compromise issues

weaning procedures

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Basic principles of genetics may include:

chromosomes

genes

inheritance

punnet squares

commonly used genetic terms and concepts including:

cell differentiation

genetic integrity

genotype

phenotype.

Breeding program may include:

information about:

number of breeders required

selection criteria for breeders and retiring breeders

breeding system to be used:

backcross

inbred

outbred

genotype

mating system to be used

fostering requirements

identification system to be used

record systems to be used:

books

cards

computer

data to be collected about:

parent information

generation development (e.g. litter numbers, numbers born and sex ratios)

sex and weaning rates.

Animals may include:

animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace:

birds

dogs, cats and horses

fish, amphibians and reptiles

invertebrates

small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs)

food-producing animals (e.g. cattle, pigs and sheep)

wildlife or exotic mammals

in an animal technology environment on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:

guinea pigs

mice

rabbits

rats.

Animal welfare and ethical practice principles include:

adhering to local, state or territory and federal animal welfare legislation requirements

adhering to the responsible care and use of animals by providing for its needs in a reasonable way:

adequate food and water

appropriate accommodation or living conditions

handling animals humanely

the display of normal behavioural patterns

treatment of disease and injury

providing standards for animal care and use that:

achieve a reasonable balance between the welfare of animals and the interests of people whose livelihood is dependent on animals

allow for the effect of advancements in scientific knowledge about animal biology and changes in community expectations about practices involving animals

protect animals from unjustifiable, unnecessary, or unreasonable pain (i.e. cruelty).

Animals may be monitored to determine current reproductive cycle status through:

ongoing observation to identify specific indicators:

evidence of mating

forms of animal communication:

specific breeding calls

olfactory signals

identification of oestrus

sexual behaviour:

aggression between males

copulation

courtship rituals

nesting

preening

their visual appearance

relevant signs in the male and female reproductive cycle:

changes in dietary habits

fattening up

metamorphosis in amphibians

oestrus

parturition

puberty.

OHS risks when working with animals may include:

animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries

biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal

handling of chemicals and medicines

gas leakage

inhalation of aerosol particles

introduction or separation of animals during breeding program

intraocular contamination

manual handling including carrying, lifting and shifting

needle pricks and cuts from other sharps

release of infective agents (animal and human)

slippery or uneven work surfaces

zoonoses.

Appropriate environment for mating may consider:

the species involved and the specific requirements of the breeding program:

consideration of appropriate housing for mother

day or night cycle

humidity and temperature

photoperiod

providing suitable media for fertilisation

reduced noise or light

screening and/or privacy

seasonal effects

separation of animal from other animals

simulated natural habitat

special dietary requirements.

Breeding systems and mating methods may include:

breeding systems:

cross breeding

inbreeding and controlled outbreeding

mating methods:

paired mating

stud mating

the harem system.

.

Suitable media to assist with birth or hatching may include:

materials or substrates for:

nesting

egg laying and/or incubation.

Signs of hatching or parturition may include:

evidence of labour or preparation for birth:

breaking through the shell

change in appearance of egg colour

laboured breathing

milk let down

nest making

pushing

territorial behaviour

vaginal discharge.

Monitoring may include:

implementation of a 24-hour watch

checking egg viability.

Post-weaning management may include:

supplement feeding

identification of future breeding animals

health checks

immunisation requirements

recording observations.

Breeding records may include:

date of birth

numbers born, stillborn, missing or found dead

sexes born

numbers weaned

growth weight

strain and genotype information.