Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 3:11 PM AWST

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Brood poultry

Brood poultry

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCPLY309
State Code
OFA99
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
24/01/2023
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/06/2023
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
09/06/2023
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to brood poultry, including setting up housing, transfer of poultry and monitoring growth. This unit applies to all poultry species and breeds.This unit applies to workers who apply technical knowledge and skills with discretion and judgement to care for poultry in commercial production environments. They work under broad direction, coordinate activities and solve problems related to poultry husbandry. Work environments may include poultry farms and breeding facilities.Commonwealth and/or state/territory health and safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and biosecurity legislation, regulations and codes of practice apply to keeping and working with poultry, including the handling of fertilised eggs. Requirements vary between jurisdictions.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for brooding
  • 1.1 Identify and follow personal hygiene and other biosecurity procedures that apply to entering and working on a poultry breeding farm or facility
  • 1.2 Identify brood poultry age, quantity, housing requirements and tasks to be undertaken from work plan
  • 1.3 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess and control risks for placing poultry and carrying out brooding tasks
  • 1.4 Select and fit personal protective equipment (PPE) required for placing poultry and carrying out brooding tasks
  • 1.5 Check shed and equipment are clean and set up correctly for placement of poultry and brooding
2. Place poultry
  • 2.1 Check and adjust feed, water and other shed conditions to meet brooding requirements
  • 2.2 Operate temperature and ventilation control equipment to achieve required conditions in designated housing prior to poultry placement
  • 2.3 Carry poultry containers safely and remove poultry from crates or boxes and place into designated housing using low stress bird handling techniques
  • 2.4 Monitor poultry behaviour and health regularly after placement, and adjust environment as required
3. Carry out brooding operations
  • 3.1 Monitor poultry health and behaviour regularly according to enterprise animal welfare requirements
  • 3.2 Check shed feeding and watering equipment, lighting, temperature, humidity and ventilation and litter condition regularly, and adjust according to enterprise requirements
  • 3.3 Identify and remove sick, injured or dead birds
  • 3.4 Extend brooding area or reduce bird density as birds grow
  • 3.5 Check, clean and adjust feeders, drinkers and other brooding equipment regularly
  • 3.6 Remove wet litter and replace as required
  • 3.7 Adjust lighting program and/or equipment as birds grow
  • 3.8 Carry out black-out training where required
  • 3.9 Monitor beak condition according to enterprise procedures
  • 3.10 Monitor body weight regularly against expected targets
  • 3.11 Monitor feed and water consumption regularly, and adjust supply to meet enterprise program
  • 3.12 Check pest, vermin and/or predator controls are in place, and adjust as required
4. Undertake cleaning and reporting
  • 4.1 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess risks and control risks for cleaning
  • 4.2 Select and fit appropriate PPE required for cleaning
  • 4.3 Measure chemicals and prepare cleaning fluids safely according to supplier instructions and enterprise procedures
  • 4.4 Check and prepare cleaning equipment
  • 4.5 Clean and/or sanitise work areas, tools, equipment and surfaces according to enterprise health, safety, personal hygiene and biosecurity procedures
  • 4.6 Dispose of waste according to enterprise environmental and biosecurity procedures
  • 4.7 Complete records and report issues according to enterprise requirements
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BAL62 AHCPLY302 Brood poultry Unit of competency