Support the rearing of game bird chicks and juvenile game birds

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This standard is about supporting the rearing of game bird chicks and juvenile game birds. It relates to the work activities that you undertake to care for game bird chicks and juvenile game birds during the early part of their life.
This standard is for those who work in game conservation and can be applied to any wildlife management area or game farm involved in the rearing of game bird chicks and juvenile game birds.
To meet this standard you will be able to:
• handle game bird chicks
• safely establish game bird chicks in a rearing unit
• care for game bird chicks and juvenile game birds
• maintain the welfare of juvenile game birds.
For you to fully understand the content of the standard, and the activities it describes, it is important that you are able to understand the terms used within the standard. See the Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

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1. carry out activities to support the rearing of game bird chicks ad juvenile game birds safely, in line with the relevant health and safety requirements
2. prepare the rearing unit so that it is in a hygienic, safe and secure condition ready to receive game bird chicks
3. prepare the rearing equipment to provide the environmental conditions required by game bird chicks
4. support the rearing of game bird chicks by establishing them securely in the rearing unit
5. handle game bird chicks in a manner that maintains their welfare and optimises their survival
6. provide feed and water that is appropriate to the age and development stage of the game bird chicks
7. observe the behaviour of newly stocked game bird chicks and report any signs of stress or disorder
8. monitor the growth and development of game bird chicks to determine when they should be moved to the rearing area
9. support the rearing of juvenile game birds by maintaining the rearing area in a clean, safe and secure condition to provide the required environmental conditions
10. monitor and maintain the function of rearing equipment to optimise the survival of the game bird chicks
11. provide feed and water to suit the development needs of the juvenile game birds
12. observe the behaviour of the juvenile game birds and report any signs of stress or disorder
13. dispose of waste and mortalities in accordance with the relevant legal and organisational requirements
14. maintain accurate records as required by the relevant legislation, codes of practice and organisational requirements

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1. the relevant health and safety requirements associated with the rearing of game birds chicks and juvenile game birds
2. the rearing unit and rearing area requirements that maintain the condition and survival of game bird chicks and juvenile game birds
3. the importance of maintaining the safety and security of the rearing unit and rearing area
4. how to protect game bird chicks and juvenile game birds from pests and predators
5. how to prepare and maintain rearing units and rearing areas
6. the environmental conditions required by game bird chicks and by juvenile game birds, and the importance of maintaining these conditions
7. how to maintain the environmental conditions, taking account of prevailing weather conditions
8. the characteristics of normal behaviour and the signs that indicate stress and disorder in game bird chicks and juvenile game birds
9. the welfare requirements for different stages of game bird chick and juvenile game bird development
10. the common disorders associated with game bird chicks and juvenile game birds and how to deal with them
11. the likely causes of mortality in game bird chicks and juvenile game birds
12. how to handle game bird chicks and juvenile game birds in a manner that maintains their welfare
13. the feed and water requirements for the different development stages of game bird chicks and juvenile game birds
14. how to harden off juvenile game birds
15. how to prevent feather pecking
16. how and when to bit game birds
17. the relevant legal requirements controlling the transport of game birds
18. the relevant legal requirements controlling the disposal of mortalities and waste
19. the relevant legislation, codes of practice and organisational requirements for the completion of records

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Game birds – pheasant, partridge, duck
Environmental conditions:
• temperature
• hygiene