Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Breeding plan may include:
information about:
species management:
number of breeders required
selection criteria for breeders and retiring breeders
stock replacement
mating system to be used
enhanced reproductive methods
reproductive control methods
identification and records systems to be used
data to be collected about production rates (e.g. numbers born and sex ratios)
weaning methods.
Types of sexual behaviour that may be observed includes:
aggression between males
courtship rituals
copulation
nesting
preening.
Communication and signs in the male and female reproductive cycle may include:
communication:
olfactory signals
specific breeding calls
signs:
changes in dietary habits
fattening up
metamorphosis in amphibians
oestrus
parturition
puberty.
Major animal groups are:
amphibians
birds
fish
invertebrates
mammals
reptiles.
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
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.
Conditions suitable for breeding may include:
dietary requirements
photoperiod
privacy
reduced noise or light
screening
simulated natural habitat
temperature and humidity.
Environmental cues that may be required include:
changes in photoperiod
humidity
temperature and/or precipitation.
Suitable environment may include:
consideration of appropriate housing for the mother
providing suitable media for fertilisation
screening or privacy from the public
separation of the animal from other animals
simulated natural habitats.
Requirements may include:
behaviour requirements (e.g. physical, social and food-related enrichment)
health requirements (e.g. specific medication and regular health checks)
nutritional requirements (e.g. food supplements during egg development, pregnancy and lactation).
Data may include:
environmental conditions
the introduction or separation of individuals.
Suitable media
materials or substrates for nest building, egg laying and/or incubation.
Monitoring may include:
implementation of a 24-hour watch and checking egg viability.
Behaviour considerations may include:
post-birth and egg laying behavioural considerations:
the need to remove one or both parents
maintenance of a private and/or quiet environment
maintenance of the animal within a social group.
suitable media

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
provide environments conducive to reproduction in accordance with institution's breeding plan
monitor reproductive processes in captive animals from the time prior to fertilisation through to birth or hatching of the young
monitor and manage birth or hatching processes
record and maintain accurate records.

The skills and knowledge required to monitor animal reproduction 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 a captive animal workplace.

There must be access in this situation to breeding pairs and/or groups of animals for a range of species as well as the appropriate 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 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
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).