AHCPER304
Carry out animal care, maintenance and treatment programs in a permaculture system


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to carry out animal care, maintenance and treatment programs in a permaculture system and to accurately evaluate the type and scope of animal needs, administer appropriate treatments and work with the legislative requirements associated with animal care.

All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.

This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and complete routine activities.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for care, maintenance and treatment of animals

1.1 Identify the appropriate system required for the care, maintenance or treatment of animals

1.2 Determine the type and scope of care

1.3 Identify, prepare and maintain equipment and materials required for the appropriate care, maintenance and treatment of animals

1.4 Identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls and take appropriate action

2. Carry out animal care, maintenance and treatment programs

2.1 Adjust animal care, maintenance and treatment programs appropriately and where needed

2.2 Identify and treat sick or injured animals, if any are found, according to permaculture practices

2.3 Safely handle and restrain animals

2.4 Administer treatment

2.5 Observe withholding periods and isolate animals if treatment requires it

3. Complete animal care, maintenance and treatment program

3.1 Monitor animal health and condition post-treatment and report any abnormalities

3.2 Identify, address and control environmental implications associated with the care, maintenance and treatment of animals

3.3 Maintain a clean and safe work area

3.4 Remove or dispose of waste material appropriately

3.5 Store health treatments according to label instructions

3.6 Document animal care, maintenance and treatment information

Evidence of Performance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

monitor animal housing, enclosures and fencing and act to ensure good care and hygiene

assess and provide appropriate animal nutrition and watering provision

manage and reuse manures and other animal ‘wastes’ safely and hygienically

diagnose parasitic infestations, diseases and injuries

select and apply appropriate means to treat parasites, diseases and injuries


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

permaculture principles

animal care, maintenance and treatment programs, such as:

maintenance of animal housing, enclosures and fencing, covering hygiene and welfare

ensuring availability of suitable forage, fodder and supplementary feedstuffs, and adjusting stocking rates, ranging and rotation schedules to suit

coordinating integration of animal ranging and maintenance with plant production systems (ranging in orchard to manure trees, reduce weeds, pests, eat windfall fruit, tractoring systems, compost manures and housing litter, maintain firebreaks)

researching, assessing, sourcing and preparing supplementary stock feed requirements, feeding quantities and schedules

researching and applying organic alternatives for treating stock in compliance with organic certification authorities, which may include herbal and homoeopathic treatments, mineral and vitamin supplements and permitted medications

developing appropriate handling procedures to reduce stress

harvesting, sourcing and handling useable products (such as milking and collecting eggs)

requirements for animal housing, enclosures and fencing

animal health and nutrition requirements

information documented in animal care, maintenance and treatment records, such as

stocking rates

rotation schedules

pasture condition

feeding details

harvest records

details of equipment and materials used

the performance of equipment, faults and malfunctions

number of treated livestock and details of treatment, including spur docking for roosters, hoof trimming and other mechanical, non-chemical treatments

any testing carried out and results

expiry of withholding periods

evaluation of treatment effectiveness

observed abnormalities or behaviour in livestock

methods for harvesting, sourcing and handling useable products (e.g. milking, collecting eggs)

types of parasite infestation, their symptoms and seasonal incidence

types of health promotion practices, including allowable organic methods

assessing the requirements of the particular animals for shelter, enclosure, rotation, food and medicinal plants

dosage and rates of treatments appropriate to the identified type of animal, its body weight and severity of infestation, infection or injury

relevant Codes of Practice with regard to the safe use and handling of hazardous substances

withholding periods for treated animals


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs. Assessors must also hold a nationally accredited Certificate III (or higher) in Permaculture. Completion of a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) is not sufficient at this level.


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Permaculture (PER)