Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What occupational health & safety requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling chickens including zoonoses control
operating handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or facemask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What does the quality monitored of eggs on arrival refer to?
It refers to grade, dating and age, number, any special instructions to do with health status, eggs are dry, donor flock source, accuracy of documentation.

How might information be recorded?
Recordkeeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance and readings from temperature, humidity and flow-rate gauges.

What has to be considered when eggs are stored?
When storing eggs, humidity, temperature and egg age must be considered.

Prior to transfer, will any other processes occur?
In some organisations, eggs may be pulped. In this case, strict pasteurization, hygiene and health regulations apply.

What factors are considered when managing egg stock?
Factors considered are based on standards of age of eggs, type, size, shape, shell quality, stains, cracks and other defects.

Does the hatchery temperature, humidity and airflow have to be changed?
Hatchery machines have a range of designs, but the basic temperature and humidity standards remain the same. Air flow and hatchery temperatures are important in ensuring predictable machine performance.

When are dollies moved to the transfer area?
Unloading setters is usually carried out between 16 and 18 days.

What aspects of the egg handling areas should be checked and cleaned?
In areas where eggs are washed or further processed, it applies to clean walls, doors, roofs, operational doors, lights, dust removed from high areas, lights dusted, areas pooling water drained, wall/floor junctions sealed so as not to harbour micro-organisms, walls in egg handling areas treated so as to be impervious, birds excluded.
Structural hygiene also includes maintaining vermin and fly proofing precautions. This might require checking that fly zappers are operational, flies are not contacting eggs, fly screens intact, rat bait stations in place and baits kept fresh, doors with self closers operate.

Is fumigant use necessary on transfer?
Fumigant is not used in all hatcheries on transfer.

What organisational work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, livestock production program, organisational standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes; product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets; manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines, and occupational health & safety procedures.

What occupational health & safety requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling chickens including zoonoses control
operating handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or facemask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What does the quality monitored of eggs on arrival refer to?
It refers to grade, dating and age, number, any special instructions to do with health status, eggs are dry, donor flock source, accuracy of documentation.

How might information be recorded?
Recordkeeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance and readings from temperature, humidity and flow-rate gauges.

What has to be considered when eggs are stored?
When storing eggs, humidity, temperature and egg age must be considered.

Prior to transfer, will any other processes occur?
In some organisations, eggs may be pulped. In this case, strict pasteurization, hygiene and health regulations apply.

What factors are considered when managing egg stock?
Factors considered are based on standards of age of eggs, type, size, shape, shell quality, stains, cracks and other defects.

Does the hatchery temperature, humidity and airflow have to be changed?
Hatchery machines have a range of designs, but the basic temperature and humidity standards remain the same. Air flow and hatchery temperatures are important in ensuring predictable machine performance.

When are dollies moved to the transfer area?
Unloading setters is usually carried out between 16 and 18 days.

What aspects of the egg handling areas should be checked and cleaned?
In areas where eggs are washed or further processed, it applies to clean walls, doors, roofs, operational doors, lights, dust removed from high areas, lights dusted, areas pooling water drained, wall/floor junctions sealed so as not to harbour micro-organisms, walls in egg handling areas treated so as to be impervious, birds excluded.
Structural hygiene also includes maintaining vermin and fly proofing precautions. This might require checking that fly zappers are operational, flies are not contacting eggs, fly screens intact, rat bait stations in place and baits kept fresh, doors with self closers operate.

Is fumigant use necessary on transfer?
Fumigant is not used in all hatcheries on transfer.

What organisational work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, livestock production program, organisational standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes; product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets; manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines, and occupational health & safety procedures.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in incubating eggs requires evidence that incubation is conducted appropriately and effectively with regular monitoring.
The skills and knowledge required to incubate eggs must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of breeds and bird types.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:


A basic working knowledge of:

Airflow and aerodynamics of machines in hatchery
Servicing requirements
The need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the organisation
Sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
Relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and employment of staff and contractors
Relevant occupational health & safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

monitor setters and hatchers for constant performance
to maintain operational standards
maintain airflows, construction standards
replace fan motors
fix alarms and investigate causes
calibrate temperature and humidity probes
operate and interpret data from multi channel recorders
complete manual monitoring sheets
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:


A basic working knowledge of:

Airflow and aerodynamics of machines in hatchery
Servicing requirements
The need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
Environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the organisation
Sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
Relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and employment of staff and contractors
Relevant occupational health & safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

monitor setters and hatchers for constant performance
to maintain operational standards
maintain airflows, construction standards
replace fan motors
fix alarms and investigate causes
calibrate temperature and humidity probes
operate and interpret data from multi channel recorders
complete manual monitoring sheets
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with hatchery staff, supervisors and management representatives. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with hatchery staff, supervisors and management representatives. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In making observations on machine performance and recording the resultant data. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In making observations on machine performance and recording the resultant data. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In scheduling and performing equipment operation and maintenance. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In scheduling and performing equipment operation and maintenance. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In working alongside other staff to ensure smooth operation and workflow. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working alongside other staff to ensure smooth operation and workflow. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In reading and recording temperatures, including the conversions between Centigrade and Fahrenheit. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In reading and recording temperatures, including the conversions between Centigrade and Fahrenheit. (1)

Solving problems
In recognising the reasons for alarms and malfunctions and dealing appropriately with them. (3)

Solving problems
In recognising the reasons for alarms and malfunctions and dealing appropriately with them. (3)

Using technology
Through the use of the setter and hatcher themselves, and when recording and documenting observations. (2)

Using technology
Through the use of the setter and hatcher themselves, and when recording and documenting observations. (2)