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.
Breeding requirements may include:
an assessment of the organisation's breeding and production records to identify public demand for species or breeds
breed or bloodline health, soundness and temperament considerations
breed standards
breeding and rearing procedures and equipment for nominated animals
expected return on investment
licensing or registration regulations for breeding
restrictions on ownership of nominated animals
trends in breed or species popularity.
Resources may include:
facilities and equipment:
recording systems
personal protective equipment
monitoring technology for breeding
weighing and testing equipment
human resources.
Breeding program suitability considerations may include:
age of potential breeding animals
expertise level of staff to manage breeding animals
genetic suitability due to:
breeding for highly specialised purpose
closeness of relationship to potential mate
designer breed focus
dominant or recessive traits
hybrid vigour requirements
soundness and temperament
introduction of new bloodlines
location of potential breeding animals
natural mating or artificial breeding options
potential restrictions on importing semen or using embryo transfer.
Breeding program information may include:
identification of parents and offspring
health records (e.g. ailments, injuries, vaccinations, worming and feeding)
number of breeders required
production rates (e.g. miscarriages and deaths)
selection criteria for breeders
weaning methods used, rates and response of offspring
purchaser records
breeding records of matings for sire and dam.
Legislative requirements may include:
animal health and notifiable disease regulations
animal welfare legislation and regulations
companion animal legislation
local council regulations
microchipping, animal welfare legislation
OHS and environmental management legislation and regulations
owner or breeder licence regulations
veterinary regulations
wildlife regulations.
Animals may include:
those commonly encountered within the industry workplace:
birds
dogs and cats
fish, reptiles and amphibians
small animals (e.g. rabbits, rodents, ferrets and guinea pigs).
Examinations and tests may include:
genetic tests for heritable defects
physical examination for structural and reproductive soundness
tests for presence of disease that may affect breeding viability or the health of either animal.
Breeding systems may include:
breeding for specialised market purposes (e.g. colour and size)
creating designer breeds
cross breeding
inbreeding
line breeding
outcrossing.
Mating methods may include:
natural and artificial breeding
paired mating, the harem system and stud mating.
Potential risks to animals may include:
breeding risks:
aggression from either animal
either animal has been ill prior to breeding
either animal is infected with a disease that could affect reproduction or health of other breeding animal
either animal is infertile or has poor reproductive viability
either partner refuses to breed
female does not show obvious signs of readiness for breeding
inexperienced breeders
shy or timid breeders
birth and early life risks:
mother attacks offspring
mother dies or cannot mother offspring
mother retains placenta (where relevant)
mother will not or cannot suckle or feed offspring
offspring are born with disease or defects that limit their ability to survive or lead healthy lives in the future
offspring are injured during or after birth
offspring are too large for natural birth
offspring contract disease or become infested with parasites
offspring die or are stillborn
offspring will not feed
weaker offspring are prevented from feeding effectively due to competition from others.
Industry standards may include:
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council codes of practice
ethical practices
breed association reporting requirements.

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 competency 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:
identify, develop and implement breeding program aims
select suitable animals for breeding programs
establish appropriate mating systems and methods
monitor breeding activities and evaluate program outcomes
identify potential risks to animals in breeding, birth and early life procedures and plan for emergencies
maintain breeding program records.

The skills and knowledge required to manage companion animal breedingmust 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 a companion animal facility where animal breeding is conducted or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Facilities may include aquariums, aviaries, boarding kennels, catteries or other breeding establishments.

There must be access to a range of companion animal breeds or species and the relevant information, materials and documentation.

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 over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategies 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
third-party evidence
workplace documentation (e.g. breeding program records)
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).