Profession poultry breeder

Poultry producers plan, organise and perform farming operations to breed and raise chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks and other poultry to produce meat, eggs and breeding stock for sale or delivery to wholesale buyers, marketing organisations or at markets.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Enterprising

Related professions livestock

• Agricultural advisor
• Arable farm manager, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farmer manager, mixed crop
• Artificial inseminator
• Cattle breeder
• Cattle station helper
• Dairy producer
• Herdsman
• Livestock breeder, all other
• Livestock dealer
• Livestock farm manager
• Livestock farm worker
• Livestock farmer
• Livestock machinery installer
• Livestock machinery mechanic
• Pig breeder
• Quality inspector cattle, meat, fish
• Stockman
• Subsistence livestock farmer
• Veterinarian inspector
• Veterinarian, all other
• Veterinary aid
• Veterinary practitioner
• Veterinary technician
• Veterinary vaccinator

Knowledge

• Signs of animal illness

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Livestock species

  Livestock species and relevant genetics.

• Health and safety regulations

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

Skills

• Handle feathers

  Clean, sort, dry and package feathers taking into account the company policy and specific orders.

• Manage poultry breeding

  Manage a suitable environment for poultry breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of poultry. Monitor the poultry's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determinate when the poultry are ready for trade, consumption or other purposes.

• 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.

• Provide first aid to animals

  Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Assist animal birth

  Assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock.

• Create animal records

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• Maintain professional records

  Produce and maintain records of work performed.

• 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.

• Monitor the production of eggs

  Measure control of temperature and humidity in incubators and keep records of egg production.

• 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.

• Control animal movement

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Administer treatment to animals

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

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB