Monitor and maintain the brooding and growth of young birds

This standard covers monitoring and maintaining the brooding and growing of young birds. You are likely to have overall responsibility for this part of production and be supported in this capacity by other workers. You will require a thorough knowledge and practical skills and must be capable of identifying and resolving problems that occur. This standard involves ensuring that the brooding/growth areas and environmental conditions are in accordance with production requirements. When working with livestock or machinery you should be trained and hold current certification, where required. This standard is suitable for those with responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the brooding and growth of young birds.

1. assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out

   2. confirm that suitable clothing and personal protective equipment

   (PPE) is worn

   3. confirm that the tools, equipment and materials required are

   selected, prepared, used and maintained, safely and correctly

   4. confirm that the housing and brooding/growing areas are

   established correctly for the reception of day-old and young birds

   5. monitor and maintain the environmental conditions, in accordance

   with production requirements

   6. confirm that young birds are moved to the brooding/growing areas

   in the required numbers and in a manner that maintains their

   health and welfare

   7. monitor the living conditions on a regular basis and where

   appropriate modify them to optimise growth to meet production

   targets

   8. confirm that food and water supplies are monitored and

   replenished, as required by the production system and in

   accordance with production requirements

   9. monitor that the growth of young birds meets production targets

   10. monitor the health and welfare of young birds and confirm that the

   correct action is taken to deal with sick or damaged birds

   11. maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in

   the work

   12. maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business

   practices

   13. manage waste safely and correctly, in accordance with relevant

   legislation and business practices

   14. carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental,

   health and safety legislation, animal health and welfare legislation,

   risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and business

   policies

   15. confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the

   relevant legislation and the business

1. how to identify hazards and assess risks

   2. the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)

   suitable for the activity

   3. the types of tools, equipment and materials required and how to

   prepare, use, maintain and store these safely and correctly

   4. the types of housing for different production systems and how to

   establish them

   5. how the seasons and weather conditions can affect the

   brooding/growth of young birds

   6. the environmental conditions required by the particular species

   and stage of development, and the potential impact of any change

   on production

   7. how to monitor and maintain the environmental conditions

   8. the production requirements and how to monitor and maintain

   targets relating to the brooding/growth of young birds

   9. how young birds should be checked and handled, and the

   requirements of welfare codes in relation to the movement of

   young birds

   10. the correct physiological development of the young birds

   11. the required stocking densities for the species and stage of

   development and how this affects growth and production

   12. the correct diet and water requirements for the species and stage

   of development and the potential impact of any change

   13. the action to take to deal with sick or damaged birds and the

   correct procedures for humane culling

   14. the actions to take in the event of a supply failure or equipment

   malfunction

   15. the importance of maintaining communication with those involved

   in your work and how this should be done

   16. the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the

   methods for achieving this

   17. the importance of meeting relevant food safety and industry

   quality assurance standards

   18. how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste, including

   carcasses, in accordance with relevant legal and business

   practices

   19. your responsibilities for the welfare of birds under relevant animal

   health and welfare legislation and codes of practice

   20. your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and

   safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies

   21. the methods of stock control, record keeping and reporting used

   by the business