Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 9:29 AM AWST

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Maintain health and welfare of poultry

Maintain health and welfare of poultry

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCPLY303
State Code
OFB03
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
24/01/2023
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
09/06/2023
Field of Education
050105 - Animal Husbandry
Original Release Date
09/06/2023
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain poultry health and welfare. It includes monitoring poultry environments, feeding, watering and completing health checks and treatments.This unit applies to workers who apply technical knowledge and skills with discretion and judgement to care for poultry in commercial production environments. They work under broad direction, coordinate activities and solve problems related to poultry husbandry. Work environments may include poultry farms and breeding facilities.Commonwealth and/or state/territory health and safety, animal welfare, environmental protection and biosecurity legislation, regulations and codes of practice apply to keeping and working with poultry. Requirements vary between jurisdictions.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Monitor poultry environment
  • 1.1 Identify and follow personal hygiene and other biosecurity procedures that apply to entering and working on a poultry farm or facility
  • 1.2 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess and control risks
  • 1.3 Select and fit personal protective equipment (PPE) required for poultry health checks
  • 1.4 Check poultry housing and/or enclosures meet animal safety, security, health and welfare requirements according to enterprise procedures
  • 1.5 Monitor, maintain and operate ventilation, temperature and humidity control equipment where installed
  • 1.6 Check poultry feeders and drinkers are operational, and maintain feed and water availability according to enterprise requirements
  • 1.7 Check pest, vermin and/or predator controls are in place, and adjust as required
  • 1.8 Resolve and report issues according to enterprise requirements
2. Carry out routine poultry health checks
  • 2.1 Identify signs of good health in poultry
  • 2.2 Catch and/or handle birds for inspection and/or weighing using safe and low stress techniques
  • 2.3 Check poultry, and recognise and report signs of injuries or ill health
  • 2.4 Identify cull birds using criteria established by the enterprise
  • 2.5 Record and report flock and/or individual bird health status
3. Administer treatments to poultry
  • 3.1 Determine poultry vaccine, medication or other treatment requirements according to poultry health plan
  • 3.2 Identify health and safety hazards, and assess and control risks
  • 3.3 Select and fit appropriate PPE required for treatment
  • 3.4 Select and handle vaccines, medications, chemicals and other treatments safely
  • 3.5 Provide routine vaccines, medications or other treatments to poultry, using safe and low stress techniques
  • 3.6 Store vaccines, medications and treatments according to enterprise requirements
  • 3.7 Complete records according to enterprise requirements
4. Collect samples for analysis
  • 4.1 Take swab samples of work surfaces as directed and according to enterprise procedures
  • 4.2 Label and pack swabs and samples for dispatch
5. Remove non-viable poultry
  • 5.1 Remove sick or injured poultry according to enterprise animal welfare and infection control procedures
  • 5.2 Provide treatment to sick poultry as required
  • 5.3 Remove and/or dispose of dead poultry according to enterprise biosecurity and environmental procedures
  • 5.4 Provide post-mortem assistance as required
  • 5.5 Record and report poultry losses and non-viable poultry
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
BAN51 AHCPLY202 Maintain health and welfare of poultry Unit of competency