Support the rearing of gamebird chicks and juvenile gamebirds

This standard is about supporting the rearing of gamebird chicks and juvenile gamebirds. It relates to the work activities that you undertake to care for gamebird chicks and juvenile gamebirds during the early part of their life.

This standard is aimed at those who work in game conservation on either a full- or part-time basis, and can be applied to any wildlife management area or game farm involved in the rearing of gamebird chicks and juvenile gamebirds.

To meet this standard you will be able to:
•  handle gamebird chicks
•  safely establish gamebird chicks in a rearing unit
•  care for gamebird chicks and juvenile gamebirds
•  maintain the welfare of juvenile gamebirds.

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 Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

1. carry out activities safely, in line with relevant health and safety requirements
2. prepare the rearing unit to a safe and hygienic condition ready to receive gamebird chicks
3. prepare the rearing equipment to provide the environmental conditions required by gamebird chicks
4. support the rearing of gamebird chicks by establishing them securely in the rearing unit
5. handle gamebird chicks in a manner that maintains their welfare and optimises their survival
6. provide feed and water appropriate to the age and development stage of the gamebird chicks
7. observe the behaviour of newly stocked gamebird chicks and report to the appropriate person any signs of stress or disorder
8. monitor the growth and development of gamebird chicks to determine when they should be moved to the rearing area
9. support the rearing of juvenile gamebirds 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 gamebird chicks
11. provide feed and water to suit the development needs of the juvenile gamebirds
12. observe the behaviour of the juvenile gamebirds and report to the appropriate person any signs of stress or disorder
13. dispose of waste and mortalities responsibly, according to legal requirements and those of the organisation that you work for
14. maintain accurate records of rearing activities according to the relevant legal requirements and those of the organisation that you work for

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

Gamebirds – Pheasant, partridge, duck

Environmental conditions:
•  temperature
•  hygiene