Poultry technician

Knowledge

K1: Relevant species/breed, its anatomy, diseases, feed requirements, and general characteristics. Back to Duty

K2: Signals and behaviours to look for that indicate health or welfare issues and the actions required to mitigate them. Back to Duty

K3: Safety, hygiene and biosecurity legislation, codes and practice relevant to the operation and how they are applied effectively. Back to Duty

K4: Relevant welfare codes of practice, including the five freedoms, Freedom from hunger and thirst, Freedom from discomfort, Freedom from pain, injury or disease, Freedom to express normal behaviour, Freedom from fear and distress together with the specific requirements appropriate for the species / point in the growth cycle including environmental conditions, correct processes for culling disposal and despatch, manual handling/ transport procedures and stocking densities. Back to Duty

K5: End to end process of the operation, the stages within it and the understanding of how to deliver good performance as well as an awareness of the role of their operation within the wider supply chain. Back to Duty

K6: Performance requirements of the operation including relevant cost, growth, mortality, waste, hygiene and safety metrics and the techniques and expertise required to influence them to deliver effective performance. Back to Duty

K7: Standard operating procedures, methods of stock control, record keeping, and reporting relevant to their operation. Back to Duty

K8: Running of their operation in terms of facility management, knowledge of systems, technology, software, machinery, and equipment. (some examples include feed and water equipment, ventilation panels, egg packing machinery and incubation equipment dependant on the stage in the process)  Necessary legislation, ethical code of practice and relevant policy and process, necessary to supervise and manage employees and contract/agency workers in their operation. Back to Duty

K9: How to apply effectively all elements required for brooding including Equipment, e.g brooders / heaters, feeders, drinkers, lights’ resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision and why it is important that these are completed correctly Back to Duty

K10: The factors that can impact on the growth targets required for organisational purposes Back to Duty

K11: The factors and causes that can affect the condition and physical characteristics of males and why this makes them suitable or unsuitable for breeding Back to Duty

K12: Full principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration Back to Duty

K13: The factors that can impact on the production targets for the appropriate breed / species Back to Duty

K14: How to maintain correct conditions and apply appropriate resources to bring birds into lay. Back to Duty

K15: How males should be handled during semen collection to maintain good welfare and maximise semen quality Back to Duty

K16: The factors effecting bird fertility and semen quality Back to Duty

K17: The reasons why it is important that the eggs are stored correctly and the consequences if this is not done effectively. Back to Duty

K18: The factors which would explain why eggs would be unsuitable for incubation. Back to Duty

K19: The reasons why it is important to have appropriate incubation conditions / times closely monitored and maintained. Back to Duty

K20: The factors that can affect the condition of birds making them unfit for transport. Back to Duty

K21: Full principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration Back to Duty

K22: The factors that can effect flock performance for the appropriate breed / species Back to Duty

K23: How to maintain correct conditions and apply appropriate resources to bring birds into lay and the reasons why these must be maintained correctly Back to Duty

K24: The factors effecting egg quality and actions that can be taken to maximise this. Back to Duty

K25: How to apply effectively all elements required for growing birds including Equipment, (Ventilation equipment, heaters, feed and water equipment, shed alarms, bird weighing equipment, lighting) resources, appropriate conditions and feed and water provision and why it is important that these are completed correctly Back to Duty

K26: The factors that can impact on the growth targets required to meet processing requirements Back to Duty

Skills

S1: Site Upkeep: Will maintain upkeep of the site to ensure legal compliance in line with welfare regulations and all relevant legislation and customer ethical standards. Carries out site audits and maintenance of the information system. Effectively manages the use of utilities, resources and equipment to control waste and optimise efficiency. Back to Duty

S2: Health & Safety: Complies with and enforce the company health and safety rules; works in a safe manner and maintain a safe working environment. Takes responsibility for all personnel’s health and safety on site. Ensures all accidents and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner. Ensures that safety procedures and health regulations are followed at site by all staff and visitors. Back to Duty

S3: Biosecurity: Delivers full biosecurity compliance on their site in line with industry, company and customer standards for each poultry breed. Implements corrective actions when required. Back to Duty

S4: Hygiene and food safety: Takes responsibility for site and personal hygiene procedures. Provides a clean environment in line with agreed standards for the facility. Delivers personal hygiene compliance of themselves and all workers on their site. Back to Duty

S5: Bird Handling: Prepares facilities for arrival / departure of birds. Coordinates the movement and transport of birds safely, effectively and compassionately without undue stress, ensuring the use of appropriate manual handling techniques. Back to Duty

S6: Welfare: Demonstrate the technical skills needed to ensure the health of the birds/hatching eggs is maintained at all times and capable of dealing with potential welfare issues. Identifies and diagnose problems early and ensure appropriate measures are taken. Back to Duty

S7: Environment: Identifies the relevant environmental controls for the specific poultry breed/ system/ customer or egg programme, analyses when adjustments are required. and applies as appropriate (as relevant for the species/ point in growth cycle). Back to Duty

S8: Operations: Manages, maintains and operates equipment (relevant to age/breed/bird requirement) safely and effectively. Maintains, monitors and utilises technology and systems appropriate to the operation. Coordinates and conducts appropriate checks, and maintains/updates/keeps records as relevant. monitor and report on performance and then take appropriate action. Back to Duty

S9: Standards: Adhere to and apply welfare codes of practice including the 5 freedoms as described in knowledge section. Apply and act on business/industry and legislative requirements including industry assurance standards. Implements and maintains compliance through understanding of the standards applicable to poultry and reporting and resolving non-compliance; Contribute to assurance standard audits. Back to Duty

S10: People: Effectively manages the poultry staff at the site or if there are no reports, ensures compliance with all necessary rules and protocols by cleaning, catching and other contractors visiting site. Where people are managed; takes full responsibility for recruitment, training, employee relations and communication. Communicates effectively with internal colleagues and external stakeholders as appropriate. Back to Duty

S11: Brooding Procedures –prepare, monitor and maintain necessary equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds. Manage appropriate feed and water provision Back to Duty

S12: Rear birds to suitable / target weight and condition for breeding utilising people and resources as required. Assess and monitor that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements Back to Duty

S13: Bring birds into lay by identifying and selecting suitable males for breeding. Back to Duty

S14: Prepare and administer vaccine correctly. Back to Duty

S15: Applies the correct process and resources to bring birds into lay. Ensure that the birds develop using the appropriate methods and equipment with the right inputs from team. Back to Duty

S16: Monitor and maintain the collection, grading and storage of eggs for breeding purposes providing input and guidance where required. Back to Duty

S17: Monitor and maintain the artificial insemination if relevant to species providing input and guidance where required. Prepare hens and monitor their insemination in-line with organisational requirements. Back to Duty

S18: Prepare males and monitor the collection of semen in-line with organisational requirements Back to Duty

S19: Manage, monitor and maintain the receipt and selection of eggs for hatching ensuring workers follow correct process and giving advice and guidance when required on storage and selection of eggs. Back to Duty

S20: Manage, monitor and maintain the preparation, loading and incubation of hatching eggs. Ensure eggs are prepared for incubation at set times, the incubator is prepared correctly to receive eggs and eggs are loaded into the incubator correctly by the team. Check egg fertility and select eggs for transfer in line with organisational requirements and provide advice and input as required. Back to Duty

S21: Manage, monitor and maintain the hatch and despatch of poultry – monitor the take-off of poultry, ensure substandard products are correctly recognised and disposed of in line with legal and organisational requirements, monitor preparation of birds for transportation Back to Duty

S22: Prepare and administer vaccine as required in line with correct process. Back to Duty

S23: Applies the correct process and resources to bring birds into lay. Ensure that the birds develop using the appropriate methods and equipment with the right inputs from team. Back to Duty

S24: Manage, monitor and maintain the collection, grading and storage of eggs for human consumption. Ensure eggs are handled, graded, marked and stored in line with organisational requirements Back to Duty

S25: Growing Procedures –prepare, monitor and maintain necessary equipment (Ventilation equipment, heaters, feed and water equipment, shed alarms, bird weighing equipment, lighting) and appropriate conditions for new birds. Prepare provide and manage appropriate feed and water provision. Back to Duty

S26: Rear birds to suitable / target weight and condition for processing utilising people and resources as required. Assess and monitor that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: Leads by example, through their actions and behaviour, shows a strong work ethic through punctuality, consistent standards, diligence in the quality of their work, a positive attitude and good attention to detail. Back to Duty

B2: Takes appropriate responsibility and ownership of decision making for good welfare practice, care of animals integrity/ethics in the process and site standards. Back to Duty

B3: Challenges themselves and others, embraces new ways of thinking, and encourages others to do the same. Displays a positive mind set, through their willingness to learn, proactive approach, ability to act on their own initiative, and willingness to solve problems and acquire new skills. Back to Duty

B4: Manages and coaches others effectively, work well with colleagues and, communicates and gives feedback effectively, shows respect for other people and gives them time and support. Back to Duty

B5: Looks to continuously improve their operation, adapt quickly to changing conditions, technologies, situations and working environments. Able to prioritise effectively and adapt to changing circumstances. Back to Duty

B6: Maintains quality of work under pressure, demonstrates resilience and determination, shown in their commitment, consistency in results and overall dedication to their work. Back to Duty