Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to set up shed for placement of day-old chickens.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
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 to work in poultry shed | 1.1 Follow biosecurity procedures 1.2 Confirm work to be undertaken from work program and management 1.3 Follow enterprise work health and safety policies 1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment 1.5 Select, check and maintain tools and equipment |
2. Check and maintain shed and equipment | 2.1 Check biosecurity procedures are in place to prevent entry of pathogens on personnel and equipment 2.2 Check shed and all equipment are clean, sanitised to required standards and maintained in working condition 2.3 Check that pest and vermin controls are in place, and maintain if required 2.4 Ensure that rodent barriers are in place and working 2.5 Operate and check lights, time switches and shed equipment |
3. Prepare shed | 3.1 Spread or place litter/paper as per enterprise procedures 3.2 Ensure litter/paper is clean & dry 3.3 Setup feeders, drinkers, heaters and other equipment in shed 3.4 Ensure that bird wires are in place and working 3.5 Install brooder curtains if required 3.6 Test watering, feeding, ventilation and cooling systems 3.7 Check and adjust lighting levels for day old chicks 3.8 Reset or adjust shed climate management system if required 3.9 Test alarm systems and time switches 3.10 Test brooders for proper operation and temperature control 3.11 Adjust time clocks 3.12 Install additional drinkers if required 3.13 Install additional feeders or lay paper & spread feed on it as required 3.14 Start heaters prior to chick placement to ensure brooding section is at required temperature for chick placement |
Place chicks | 4.1 Check that feed, water and shed conditions are adequate 4.2 Check shed and litter are at required temperatures 4.3 Carry chick containers safely and gently remove chickens from boxes and place on litter or paper 4.4 Check chick behaviour and health regularly after placement in line with enterprise animal welfare policies |
Complete hygiene and administration activities | 5.1 Clean and sanitise containers and equipment as required 5.2 Dispose of waste in line with enterprise environmental policies 5.3 Complete required records and documentation promptly and accurately |
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:
make preparations to work in poultry sheds
check cleanliness of shed and equipment
check and maintain shed and equipment
check pest and vermin controls are in place
prepare shed (spread litter or place paper, setup feeders, drinkers, adjust time clocks)
place day old chicks
check chick behaviour
complete hygiene and administration activities
follow enterprise work health and safety policies
follow biosecurity procedures
follow enterprise animal welfare and environmental policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
relevant regulatory requirements, codes of practice, industry standards and enterprise procedures for biosecurity
relevant animal welfare requirements and practices for poultry and day old chicks
types, uses, cleaning and maintenance of suitable equipment, tools, machinery and personal protective equipment
types, characteristics, cleaning and maintenance of poultry sheds
commonly used methods of pest and vermin control
types, characteristics and maintenance of bird wires and rodent barriers
lighting systems, time switches, alarm systems, brooders, watering systems, feeding systems, ventilation systems and fogging systems, and methods for determining that they are in working condition
requirements of day old chicks to ensure their health and welfare
behavioural signs of health and methods for assessing health and welfare in day old chicks
types, characteristics, uses and maintenance of litter for poultry
biosecurity requirements for brooding and rearing chickens
relevant environmental and sustainability requirements, and procedures for disposal and management of wastes
relevant documentation and records that are required
relevant work health and safety requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or workplace and simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Poultry (PLY)