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 birds does this unit cover?
Birds covered by this unit include meat or egg producing poultry, turkeys, quail, pigeons, ostriches, or emus.

What tools and equipment might be used in the conduct of this unit?
Identification devices and associated application equipment such as beak trimmers.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock 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 clothing and equipment.

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

How is chicken sexing performed?
Chicken sexing is carried out in two ways - vent sexing and feather sexing. Vent sexing operations can be carried out by a contractor with the operator only being involved in presenting the chickens for the contractor or machine. Feather sexing assesses male colour or wing feather configuration. Some breeds of birds are colour sexed.

When and to what stock is beak trimming performed?
Beak trimming is usually performed on layer or breeding stock. Trimming at day-old is sometimes considered stressful and is delayed until the bird is older.

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 OHS procedures.

What existing and potential hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, organic and other dusts, hazardous noise, and moving machinery and vehicles.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping public access paths clear of debris, waste, tools, equipment and machinery; disabling equipment and machinery after use; and removing debris and waste from the work area swiftly and efficiently.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring and any observed abnormalities. Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What birds does this unit cover?
Birds covered by this unit include meat or egg producing poultry, turkeys, quail, pigeons, ostriches, or emus.

What tools and equipment might be used in the conduct of this unit?
Identification devices and associated application equipment such as beak trimmers.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock 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 clothing and equipment.

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

How is chicken sexing performed?
Chicken sexing is carried out in two ways - vent sexing and feather sexing. Vent sexing operations can be carried out by a contractor with the operator only being involved in presenting the chickens for the contractor or machine. Feather sexing assesses male colour or wing feather configuration. Some breeds of birds are colour sexed.

When and to what stock is beak trimming performed?
Beak trimming is usually performed on layer or breeding stock. Trimming at day-old is sometimes considered stressful and is delayed until the bird is older.

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 OHS procedures.

What existing and potential hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, organic and other dusts, hazardous noise, and moving machinery and vehicles.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping public access paths clear of debris, waste, tools, equipment and machinery; disabling equipment and machinery after use; and removing debris and waste from the work area swiftly and efficiently.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
Livestock numbers, details of administered preventative health treatments and outcomes, appraisal results, back fat test results, conformation, temperament and performance details, weight and condition scoring and any observed abnormalities. Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in identifying and sexing chickens requires evidence that the chickens are accurately identified, separated, and debeaked in preparation for sexing.
The skills and knowledge required to identify and sex chickens must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of breeds and 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 competency standard are listed below:

hygienic maintenance and use of machinery
the key indicators of gender in a range of birds
welfare implications of poor beak trimming
avian reproductive anatomy
the need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisation's livestock production and management plans
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 OHS 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:

operate marking and debeaking equipment
identify the key features used to sex chickens using a variety of techniques
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
count sexed birds
share information and observations with fellow workers and supervisors
read and interpret written instructions prepared by the organisation, industry bodies, and/or manufacturers
complete sexing at a rate acceptable to the industry and the organisation.

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:

hygienic maintenance and use of machinery
the key indicators of gender in a range of birds
welfare implications of poor beak trimming
avian reproductive anatomy
the need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisation's livestock production and management plans
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 OHS 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:

operate marking and debeaking equipment
identify the key features used to sex chickens using a variety of techniques
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
count sexed birds
share information and observations with fellow workers and supervisors
read and interpret written instructions prepared by the organisation, industry bodies, and/or manufacturers
complete sexing at a rate acceptable to the industry and the organisation.

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 clarifying the specific identification procedures to be used. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
In clarifying the specific identification procedures to be used. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In swiftly gathering the information from each chicken as to its identification requirements and its sex. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In swiftly gathering the information from each chicken as to its identification requirements and its sex. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In sequencing the activities to be undertaken within a given period or in maintaining organisation standards for sexing. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In sequencing the activities to be undertaken within a given period or in maintaining organisation standards for sexing. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working alongside others in the poultry shed to achieve workplace requirements. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working alongside others in the poultry shed to achieve workplace requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In counting chickens and calculating their performance. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In counting chickens and calculating their performance. (1)

Solving problems
In recognising low numbers of birds and determining the steps to be taken. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising low numbers of birds and determining the steps to be taken. (2)

Using technology
In trimming beaks, as well as in making calculations and reports. (1)

Using technology
In trimming beaks, as well as in making calculations and reports. (1)