Level 3 - Technical Occupation

Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Poultry technician - Poultry rearing technician

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Manage and control a complex poultry farming site or operational agriculture (hatchery) unit.

Summary

This occupation is found in businesses within the agriculture industry that range from small family farms through to large integrated organisations working across the food supply chain.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to manage and control a complex poultry farming site or operational agriculture (hatchery) unit. The poultry technician will ensure that animal welfare is optimised throughout their stages of life. They will manage the performance and results across their site. They will ensure compliance with hygiene, safety and bird welfare legislation and customer standards. They will also manage the maintenance of the facility and the personnel and visitors on the site.

The nature of the process and the need for optimum growth in an exacting time window requires specific expertise and skills in poultry husbandry relevant to their stage in the poultry supply chain. The poultry technician will specialise in either, egg production, rearing, breeding, hatching or growing. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with senior management within their own business, poultry workers, and external stakeholders such as Government officials and customers.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for managing their particular unit and will supervise the staff that work in there. They are likely to work without close supervision, meaning they must be entirely proficient and competent in the process. 

 

Typical job titles include

  • Poultry breeding technician | Poultry egg production technician | Poultry growing technician | Poultry hatchery technician | Poultry rearing technician

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1:

Anatomy, diseases, feed requirements, and typical characteristics of relevant species or breeds. (Core)

K2:

Indicators of health or welfare issues and the actions required to mitigate them. (Core)

K3:

Safety, hygiene and biosecurity legislation, and codes of practice relevant to the operation and how they are applied effectively. (Core)

K4:

Relevant welfare codes of practice, including the five freedoms. (Core)

K5:

Specific animal requirements appropriate to the species, environment and point in the growth cycle. (Core)

K6:

Processes for culling and removal of birds. (Core)

K7:

Processes for manual handling and transport procedures. (Core)

K8:

Standard operating procedures, methods of stock control and stock densities, record keeping, and reporting relevant to their operation. (Core)

K9:

End to end process of the operation, the stages within it, how to deliver reliable performance and their role within the wider supply chain. (Core)

K10:

Performance requirements, including cost, growth, mortality, waste, hygiene and safety metrics. (Core)

K11:

Facility management requirements applicable to the operation, alarms and backup systems. (Core)

K12:

Systems, technology, software, machinery, and equipment relevant to the operation for example, feed and water equipment, ventilation panels, egg packing machinery and incubation equipment dependant on the stage in the process. (Core)

K13:

Applicable legislation, ethical code of practice and relevant policy and process when supervising and managing employees and, contract or agency workers. (Core)

K14:

The application of equipment across the brooding process, and impact of environmental conditions and feed and water provision for example, brooders or heaters, feeders, drinkers, lights’ resources. (Rearing)

K15:

The factors that can impact on the growth targets required for organisational purposes. (Rearing)

K16:

The factors and causes that can affect the condition and physical characteristics of males and why this makes them suitable or unsuitable for breeding. (Rearing)

K17:

The principles of vaccination and the importance of correct administration. (Rearing)

K18:

The factors that can affect flock performance for the appropriate breed or species. (Rearing)

K27:

The factors that can affect the condition of birds making them unfit for transport. (Core)

Technical Educational Products

ST0467
ST0467: Poultry technician - Poultry rearing technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
Reference:
OCC0467E
Status:
Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
SOC 2020 code:
0
  • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
    S1:

    Maintains upkeep of the site to ensure legal compliance in line with welfare regulations, all relevant legislation and customer ethical standards. (Core)

    S2:

    Contributes to site audits and maintenance of the information system. (Core)

    S3:

    Manages the use of utilities, resources and equipment to control waste and optimise efficiency. (Core)

    S4:

    Complies with and enforce the company health and safety rules; works in a safe manner and maintain a safe working environment. (Core)

    S5:

    Takes responsibility for all personnel’s health and safety on site. (Core)

    S6:

    Ensures all accidents and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner. (Core)

    S7:

    Ensures that safety procedures and health regulations are followed at site by all staff and visitors. (Core)

    S8:

    Delivers full biosecurity compliance on their site in line with industry, company and customer standards for each poultry breed and implements corrective actions when required. (Core)

    S9:

    Takes responsibility and delivers personal hygiene compliance and procedures of themselves and all workers on their site. (Core)

    S10:

    Ensures the health of the birds or hatching eggs is maintained at all times and deals with potential welfare issues. (Core)

    S11:

    Provides a clean environment in line with agreed standards for the facility. (Core)

    S12:

    Identifies and diagnoses problems early and ensures appropriate measures are taken. (Core)

    S13:

    Maintains, monitors and utilises technology and systems appropriate to the operation. (Core)

    S14:

    Coordinates and conducts performance management checks, takes appropriate actions and maintains, updates, and keeps appropriate records. (Core)

    S15:

    Identifies the relevant environmental controls for the specific poultry breed, system, customer or egg programme, analyses when adjustments are required and applies them as appropriate. (Core)

    S16:

    Adheres to and applies welfare codes of practice including the 5 freedoms. (Core)

    S17:

    Applies and acts on business, industry and legislative requirements including industry assurance standards. (Core)

    S18:

    Implements and maintains compliance through understanding of the standards applicable to poultry and reporting and resolving non-compliance. (Core)

    S19:

    Contributes to assurance standard audits. (Core)

    S20:

    Manages poultry staff or contractors visiting the site and ensures compliance with all necessary rules and protocols. (Core)

    S21:

    Maintains employee relations through communication and assisting with training. (Core)

    S22:

    Communicates effectively with internal colleagues and external stakeholders using face to face or digital technologies. (Core)

    S23:

    Coordinates the movement and transport of birds safely, effectively and compassionately without undue stress, ensuring the use of appropriate manual handling techniques. (Rearing)

    S24:

    Manages, maintains and operates equipment relevant to age, breed, bird requirements safely and effectively. (Rearing)

    S25:

    Prepares, monitors and maintains equipment and appropriate conditions for new birds. (Rearing)

    S26:

    Manages appropriate feed and water provision. (Rearing)

    S27:

    Applies people and resources effectively to rears birds to achieve the suitable target weight and condition for breeding. (Rearing)

    S28:

    Assesses and monitors that the growth of young birds meets production targets in line with organisational requirements. (Rearing)

    S29:

    Prepares and administers vaccines in accordance with company procedures. (Rearing)

    S30:

    Apply appropriate methods, equipment and team insight to ensure bird development. (Rearing)

    Technical Educational Products

    ST0467 image
    ST0467: Poultry technician - Poultry rearing technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
    Reference:
    OCC0467E
    Status:
    Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
    SOC 2020 code:
    0
    • SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
      B1:

      Team focused and collaborates effectively with colleagues and others. (Core)

      B2:

      Supports an inclusive workplace. (Core)

      B3:

      Demonstrates a strong work ethic, including pride in work, attention to detail, integrity and good time management. (Core)

      B4:

      Committed to continuous professional development. (Core)

      B5:

      Contributes to a sustainable workplace. (Core)

      B6:

      Takes responsibility for adopting good animal welfare practices. (Core)

      B7:

      Adapts to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environment. (Core)

      Technical Educational Products

      ST0467 image
      ST0467: Poultry technician - Poultry rearing technician (Level 3) Approved for delivery
      Reference:
      OCC0467E
      Status:
      Approved occupation imageApproved occupation
      SOC 2020 code:
      0
      • SOC 2020 sub unit groups: