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 equipment and tools may be used when trimming beaks?
Equipment including beak trimming machines, electrical cords, electrical safety switches, nets, surrounds, baskets, boxes and service tools.

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

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock
using handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

When and to what stock is beak trimming performed?
Beak trimming is usually performed on layer or breeding stock. Birds are usually trimmed at various ages from day old to 10 weeks of age. Re-trimming may occur to maintain the desired beak length and shape.

What safety hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Burning from beak trimming bars, electrocution from electrical cords, injuries from bird movement and handling, sunburn from solar radiation, respiratory problems from organic and other dusts and injury from moving machinery and vehicles.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping access areas clear of tools and equipment, raising feeder and drinker equipment, keeping electrical leads dry and undamaged, maximising air quality and providing adequate light at the trimming machine.

How are chickens beak trimmed?
A beak trimmer uses a heated blade to remove a portion of both beaks. This is an animal husbandry practice commonly carried out to limit the pecking damage that birds cause to each other. The beak grows after it is trimmed so birds may be re-trimmed when they are older. Beak trimming methods vary according to the way the trimming machine is set up.

What work procedures apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include oral or written instructions, organisational standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), manufacturers' service specifications and operators manuals and OHS procedures.

What relevant information may be recorded and reported?
Bird numbers, accuracy results, details of administered preventative health treatments and any observed abnormalities.
Information may be documented by record keeping systems that are paper-based with information recorded into a diary or onto record sheets. Some enterprises may use computer-based record keeping systems.

What equipment and tools may be used when trimming beaks?
Equipment including beak trimming machines, electrical cords, electrical safety switches, nets, surrounds, baskets, boxes and service tools.

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

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock
using handling equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
handling, application and storage of hazardous substances
protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

When and to what stock is beak trimming performed?
Beak trimming is usually performed on layer or breeding stock. Birds are usually trimmed at various ages from day old to 10 weeks of age. Re-trimming may occur to maintain the desired beak length and shape.

What safety hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Burning from beak trimming bars, electrocution from electrical cords, injuries from bird movement and handling, sunburn from solar radiation, respiratory problems from organic and other dusts and injury from moving machinery and vehicles.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping access areas clear of tools and equipment, raising feeder and drinker equipment, keeping electrical leads dry and undamaged, maximising air quality and providing adequate light at the trimming machine.

How are chickens beak trimmed?
A beak trimmer uses a heated blade to remove a portion of both beaks. This is an animal husbandry practice commonly carried out to limit the pecking damage that birds cause to each other. The beak grows after it is trimmed so birds may be re-trimmed when they are older. Beak trimming methods vary according to the way the trimming machine is set up.

What work procedures apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include oral or written instructions, organisational standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), manufacturers' service specifications and operators manuals and OHS procedures.

What relevant information may be recorded and reported?
Bird numbers, accuracy results, details of administered preventative health treatments and any observed abnormalities.
Information may be documented by record keeping systems that are paper-based with information recorded into a diary or onto record sheets. Some enterprises may use computer-based record keeping systems.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in trimming beaks of chickens requires evidence that chicken beaks have been trimmed according to requirements of an enterprise. The skills and knowledge required to trim beak chickens must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different enterprises, ages and breeds of birds.
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 unit are listed below:

biosecurity procedures for poultry production
bird handling and restraint techniques
trimming methods and procedures
animal welfare code of practice
enterprise standard operating procedures
tools and equipment used in trimming
techniques to treat bleeding and injured birds including euthanasing methods
OHS requirements for this work.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

prepare to beak trim birds
carry out trimming of beaks
complete beak trimming procedures.

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 unit are listed below:

biosecurity procedures for poultry production
bird handling and restraint techniques
trimming methods and procedures
animal welfare code of practice
enterprise standard operating procedures
tools and equipment used in trimming
techniques to treat bleeding and injured birds including euthanasing methods
OHS requirements for this work.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

prepare to beak trim birds
carry out trimming of beaks
complete beak trimming procedures.

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
By clarifying the specifications required for a particular trimming job. In providing feedback to farm managers and team leaders regarding trimmed birds. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
By clarifying the specifications required for a particular trimming job. In providing feedback to farm managers and team leaders regarding trimmed birds. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By gathering information about the accuracy of a particular trimming job. In providing farm managers or team leaders with a summary report on the beak trimming job. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By gathering information about the accuracy of a particular trimming job. In providing farm managers or team leaders with a summary report on the beak trimming job. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By sequencing the activities to be undertaken within a given period, e.g., taking biosecurity into account when moving from farm to farm, setting up equipment to optimise throughput and maximise safety while minimising bird stress. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By sequencing the activities to be undertaken within a given period, e.g., taking biosecurity into account when moving from farm to farm, setting up equipment to optimise throughput and maximise safety while minimising bird stress. (1)

Working with others and in teams
By working alongside others in the poultry shed to consistently achieve the desired trim. (1)

Working with others and in teams
By working alongside others in the poultry shed to consistently achieve the desired trim. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By counting chickens and calculating accuracy percentages. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By counting chickens and calculating accuracy percentages. (1)

Solving problems
By making adjustments to equipment to maximise accuracy and minimise bird stress. (1)

Solving problems
By making adjustments to equipment to maximise accuracy and minimise bird stress. (1)

Using technology
By making calculations and providing reports. (1)

Using technology
By making calculations and providing reports. (1)