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.
Basic principles of genetics may include:
chromosomes
genes
inheritance
punnet squares
commonly used genetic terms and concepts including:
cell differentiation
genetic integrity
genotype
phenotype.
Breeding program may include:
information about:
number of breeders required
selection criteria for breeders and retiring breeders
breeding system to be used:
backcross
inbred
outbred
genotype
mating system to be used
fostering requirements
identification system to be used
record systems to be used:
books
cards
computer
data to be collected about:
parent information
generation development (e.g. litter numbers, numbers born and sex ratios)
sex and weaning rates.
Animals may include:
animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace:
birds
dogs, cats and horses
fish, amphibians and reptiles
invertebrates
small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs)
food-producing animals (e.g. cattle, pigs and sheep)
wildlife or exotic mammals
in an animal technology environment on most occasions the animal species will be common laboratory animals:
guinea pigs
mice
rabbits
rats.
Animal welfare and ethical practice principles include:
adhering to local, state or territory and federal animal welfare legislation requirements
adhering to the responsible care and use of animals by providing for its needs in a reasonable way:
adequate food and water
appropriate accommodation or living conditions
handling animals humanely
the display of normal behavioural patterns
treatment of disease and injury
providing standards for animal care and use that:
achieve a reasonable balance between the welfare of animals and the interests of people whose livelihood is dependent on animals
allow for the effect of advancements in scientific knowledge about animal biology and changes in community expectations about practices involving animals
protect animals from unjustifiable, unnecessary, or unreasonable pain (i.e. cruelty).
Animals may be monitored to determine current reproductive cycle status through:
ongoing observation to identify specific indicators:
evidence of mating
forms of animal communication:
specific breeding calls
olfactory signals
identification of oestrus
sexual behaviour:
aggression between males
copulation
courtship rituals
nesting
preening
their visual appearance
relevant signs in the male and female reproductive cycle:
changes in dietary habits
fattening up
metamorphosis in amphibians
oestrus
parturition
puberty.
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
introduction or separation of animals during breeding program
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.
Appropriate environment for mating may consider:
the species involved and the specific requirements of the breeding program:
consideration of appropriate housing for mother
day or night cycle
humidity and temperature
photoperiod
providing suitable media for fertilisation
reduced noise or light
screening and/or privacy
seasonal effects
separation of animal from other animals
simulated natural habitat
special dietary requirements.
Breeding systems and mating methods may include:
breeding systems:
cross breeding
inbreeding and controlled outbreeding
mating methods:
paired mating
stud mating
the harem system.
.
Suitable media to assist with birth or hatching may include:
materials or substrates for:
nesting
egg laying and/or incubation.
Signs of hatching or parturition may include:
evidence of labour or preparation for birth:
breaking through the shell
change in appearance of egg colour
laboured breathing
milk let down
nest making
pushing
territorial behaviour
vaginal discharge.
Monitoring may include:
implementation of a 24-hour watch
checking egg viability.
Post-weaning management may include:
supplement feeding
identification of future breeding animals
health checks
immunisation requirements
recording observations.
Breeding records may include:
date of birth
numbers born, stillborn, missing or found dead
sexes born
numbers weaned
growth weight
strain and genotype information.

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:
follow requirements of breeding program to produce the required species and strains
monitor and observe animals and report on breeding cycle
communicate effectively with supervisor and follow instructions
carry out breeding, hatching or parturition and weaning procedures in accordance with organisations policies and procedures
carry out post-weaning management
maintain accurate breeding program and animal health-related records.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out simple breeding procedures 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 an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. This can include work with native, exotic or domestic animals in large or small animal care or research facilities and/or situations.

There must be access to a range of animals relevant to the work role as well as the required information, 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, cases and responsibilities 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
case studies
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).