Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures such as:
safe bird handling systems and procedures including prevention of zoonotic infection
systems and procedures to protect from gases and organic dusts
safe manual handling systems and procedures
selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment
safe systems and procedures in maintaining house keeping to reduce slip and trip hazards
feed may be distributed by hand, often in buckets
bucket weights should not exceed OHS requirements.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
The following information may be recorded:
chicken condition at arrival and after one hour
dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance and readings from temperature, humidity and flow-rate gauges
mortalities should be carefully recorded to provide information on the transport and hatchery, egg hygiene, brooding at placement, and vaccine reactions.

What observed situations require intervention?
Operators must react to situations that are detrimental to bird well-being and include draughts, overheating, chilling, lack of feed, lack of water, running out of medication, and drops in gas pressure.

What maintenance is required?
Servicing of gas, hot water, electric or solar brooding equipment is required before each batch or birds.

What is blackout training?
Daily blackout training is carried out to gradually accustom young birds/hatchlings to sudden changes in light conditions, e.g., power failures that may cause losses due to crowding and smothering.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping public access paths clear of debris, waste, tools, equipment and machinery, disabling equipment and machinery after use, and removing debris and waste from the work area swiftly and efficiently.

What organisation work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, livestock production program, enterprise standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines, and OHS procedures.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures such as:
safe bird handling systems and procedures including prevention of zoonotic infection
systems and procedures to protect from gases and organic dusts
safe manual handling systems and procedures
selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment
safe systems and procedures in maintaining house keeping to reduce slip and trip hazards
feed may be distributed by hand, often in buckets
bucket weights should not exceed OHS requirements.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protections, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
The following information may be recorded:
chicken condition at arrival and after one hour
dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance and readings from temperature, humidity and flow-rate gauges
mortalities should be carefully recorded to provide information on the transport and hatchery, egg hygiene, brooding at placement, and vaccine reactions.

What observed situations require intervention?
Operators must react to situations that are detrimental to bird well-being and include draughts, overheating, chilling, lack of feed, lack of water, running out of medication, and drops in gas pressure.

What maintenance is required?
Servicing of gas, hot water, electric or solar brooding equipment is required before each batch or birds.

What is blackout training?
Daily blackout training is carried out to gradually accustom young birds/hatchlings to sudden changes in light conditions, e.g., power failures that may cause losses due to crowding and smothering.

How may a clean and safe area be maintained?
Tasks may include keeping public access paths clear of debris, waste, tools, equipment and machinery, disabling equipment and machinery after use, and removing debris and waste from the work area swiftly and efficiently.

What organisation work procedures may apply to this standard?
Work procedures will be based on sound agricultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, livestock production program, enterprise standard operating procedures, specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets, manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines, and OHS procedures.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in brooding chickens requires evidence that the temperatures in the brooders are maintained at the appropriate levels, and that the brooding area is kept hygienic and safe.
The skills and knowledge required to brood chickens must be transferable to a different work environment, for example across a range of shed types, as well as bird breeds and classes.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

the relationship between bird behaviour and brooding temperature
the effect of litter quality and depth on chicken activity and or productivity
the impact that feed, water and floor space has on uniformity and subsequent flock performance
how live respiratory vaccines impact on bird behaviour and how to manage this
the need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisation's livestock production and management plans
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant procedures relating to waste and environment management and animal health and welfare
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

recognise feed types
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand
monitor and record temperature, times, humidity and bird numbers
handle brooding chickens and hatchlings with strict accordance to the codes of welfare.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard
RTE2141A Set up shed for placement of day-old chickens

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

the relationship between bird behaviour and brooding temperature
the effect of litter quality and depth on chicken activity and or productivity
the impact that feed, water and floor space has on uniformity and subsequent flock performance
how live respiratory vaccines impact on bird behaviour and how to manage this
the need to maximise hygiene practices and awareness
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisation's livestock production and management plans
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant procedures relating to waste and environment management and animal health and welfare
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

recognise feed types
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS
perform routine hygiene maintenance activities as required by the employer or unit manager and more frequently on demand
monitor and record temperature, times, humidity and bird numbers
handle brooding chickens and hatchlings with strict accordance to the codes of welfare.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard
RTE2141A Set up shed for placement of day-old chickens

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with management about brooding performance. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
In communicating with management about brooding performance. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting, analysing and recording mortality information. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By collecting, analysing and recording mortality information. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In scheduling lights-on periods. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In scheduling lights-on periods. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to assist with cleaning and feeding. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In working with others to assist with cleaning and feeding. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating mortality percentages and medication rates. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating mortality percentages and medication rates. (1)

Solving problems
When working with equipment which is not working optimally. (1)

Solving problems
When working with equipment which is not working optimally. (1)

Using technology
Using new brands/types of equipment to monitor and maintain temperature and lighting. (1)

Using technology
Using new brands/types of equipment to monitor and maintain temperature and lighting. (1)