Profession bee breeder

Apiarists and sericulturists (beekeepers) plan, organise and perform operations to breed, raise and tend insects such as honey bees, silkworms, and other species to produce honey, beeswax, silk and other prodcuts for sale or delivery to wholesale buyers, marketing organisations or at markets.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Realistic

Related professions animal husbandry

• Animal carer (not in farms)
• Animal home manager
• Animal trainer
• Farrier
• Fur animals farm worker
• Fur animals farmer
• Horse breeder
• Horse riding centre manager
• Horse riding instructor
• Laboratory animals carer
• Pest controller
• Pet animal breeder
• Stable groom
• Stable master

Knowledge

• Health and safety regulations

  Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

• Animal nutrition

  Aspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.

• Livestock reproduction

  Understand natural and artificial reproduction techniques, gestation periods and birthing for livestock. Understand the humane destruction of relevant animals in accordance with national legislation.

• Livestock species

  Livestock species and relevant genetics.

• Signs of animal illness

  Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.

• Animal welfare legislation

  The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.

Skills

• Create animal records

  Create animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.

• Feed livestock

  Calculate feed rations for all stages of growth and prepare, distribute and control quality of fodder.

• Manage insect breeding

  Manage a suitable environment for insect breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate terrariums for specific kinds of insects. Monitor the insect's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Identify when the insects are ready for consumption, scientific or other purposes.

• Control animal movement

  Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.

• Maintain animal accommodation

  Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.

• Operate farm equipment

  Supervise the smooth running of farm equipment which can include high pressure cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning and monitor the temperature of premises. Make sure tractors and other vehicles are running smoothly. Interpret instructions given by computer programs and report simple operations.

• Manage animal biosecurity

  Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.

• Manage the health and welfare of livestock

  Assess the current health status of your livestock. Manage any existing disease or disorder, including the requirements for isolation of livestock. Plan and manage a livestock health and welfare plan including clearly defined targets, consulting with specialists/advisers where appropriate. Work closely with the veterinary surgeon and other specialist consultants/advisers.

• Monitor livestock

  Monitor and record the production and the welfare of the livestock.

• Manage livestock

  Manage production programmes, birth plans, sales, feed purchase orders, materials, equipment, housing, location and stock management. Manage the destruction of relevant animals in humane manner and in accordance with national legislation. Follow businesses requirements and integration into qualitative research and knowledge transfer.

• Provide nutrition to animals

  Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.

• Administer treatment to animals

  Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.

• Administer specific drugs to facilitate breeding

  Administer specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and record keeping.

• Assist in transportation of animals

  Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.

• Maintain professional records

  Produce and maintain records of work performed.

• Monitor the welfare of animals

  Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.

• Manage animal hygiene

  Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.

• Select livestock

  Tag, sort and separate animals by purpose and destination taking into account the condition of the animal and relevant legislation

• Process harvested honey

  Harvest and process honey according to health, safety and biosecurity regulations.

• Dispose of dead animals

  Dispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.

• Care for juvenile animals

  Assess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB