ACMGAS303A - Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals
Assessor Resource
ACMGAS303A Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: May 2024
The unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to plan nutritional requirements for animals in various animal care sectors, including but not restricted to, companion animals in pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries, dog and cat breeding establishments, research technology animals, native and exotic animals in zoos, wildlife parks and animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities.
In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
This unit of competency covers the process of calculating rations based on animal species needs and availability of feedstuffs.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Evidence Required
List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
develop diets for animals in consultation with others
prepare, store and distribute food according to animal needs, workplace protocols and procedures whilst maintaining quality control and hygiene practices
monitor response to feeding program and modify diets as required in consultation with supervisor.
The skills and knowledge required to plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities and animal technology facilities.
There must be access in either situation to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must be relevant to the industry sector in which candidates are working andmust cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups OR at least three breeds from within one of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).
Submission Requirements
List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here
Assessment task 1: [title] Due date:
(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)
Assessment Tasks
Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Required skills
maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection
measure, interpret and record animal weight, length and other relevant objective indicators of change in physiological status
literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety (OHS) and animal welfare; follow sequenced written instructions; and record information accurately and legibly
oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
problem-solving skills to use available resources and prioritise daily tasks
use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly
use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment
use safe waste handling and disposal procedures.
Required knowledge
anatomical structures and features affecting feeding and nutrition
animal classifications that influence dietary needs and styles of eating
behavioural features related to feeding styles and unsuitable responses to diets
feedstuffs available and approved in Australia for animals, their availability, cost, shelf life, method of storage, preparation and presentation to animals
methods used to calculate rations, estimate weight of animals, calculate dry feed weight of food stuffs and other relevant measurements and calculations used for diet planning and food preparation
nutrition related diseases
organisational policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures
protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral supplement and fibre needs for a range of animal groups
physiological features affecting dietary needs
potential causes of poor response to diets and tests used to investigate dietary problems
principles of animal welfare and ethics
relevant federal and state or territory OHS and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice
safe work practices
sources of nutrients for particular animal classes and groups
workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Nutritional requirements may include:
carbohydrate
protein
fat
roughage
vitamin
mineral and trace elements
water.
Animals may include:
animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species
animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).
Nutrient sources may include:
carnivores:
insectivores
piscivores
herbivores:
folivores
frugivores
grainivores
mucivores
nectivores
palynivores
xylophages
omnivores.
Feeding strategies and methods may include:
locating food sources to ensure adequate supplies throughout the year
modifying diet for younger or special needs animals
providing food at suitable intervals for animal species
presenting food in ways that reflect natural habitat and encourage active foraging or hunting
preparation and distribution of food to:
minimise opportunities for theft by other animals or pests
encourage consumption before food deteriorates or loses nutritional quality
reflect ways that food would be available in the wild where possible
provide the best source of nutrients available within budget and seasonal availability
ensure all animals in enclosure get adequate access
removing stale, contaminated or decomposed food to discourage vermin.
Methods used to monitor nutritional uptake may include:
blood and faecal tests to check nutritional uptake
comparing food distributed and food not eaten
estimating condition scores
weighing animals.
Hazards to animal and human health from food sources may include:
animal movement and handling
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
contamination from other animal diet materials that are potentially toxic to some species
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
organic and other dusts
plants and other materials thrown into animal enclosures by the public
possibility of zoonotic infection
shelf life of foodstuffs.
Animal profiles may include:
species classifications:
age
sex
breeding status
other characteristics
seasonal requirements, including hibernating animals
climatic requirements
activity levels
Species requirements may include:
food presentation needs:
fresh grazing
fresh meat
live food
food sources:
catering for animals recovering from illness or injury
highly specific food sources for particular animals such as koalas
seasonal availability
food preparation:
dried or semi-dried foodstuffs
stage of decomposition of meat products
stage of development of plants or insects
vitamin, mineral and other supplements
whole items to allow opportunity for animal to prepare
water requirements:
running water
water from other food sources.
Abnormal feed intake or feeding behaviour may include:
demonstrating signs of stress during eating activities
disinterest in food
drinking excess water
gourging food
not drinking normal amounts of water
reluctance to eat when other animals are nearby
selectively eating.
Reasons for poor response to diet may include:
health problems:
digestive system disorder
metabolic disorder
parasite load
teeth condition
other underlying illness
food sources:
food presented in an inappropriate way for species
food quality
food quantity
food spoilage due to weather and climatic conditions or poor storage
inappropriate food sources for species
environmental and behavioural conditions:
dominant animals taking most of food
lack of space for individual animals to feed
distress caused by proximity of other animals nearby.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.
Observation Checklist
Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice
Yes
No
Comments/feedback
Animals are classified according to natural nutrient sources and types of digestive systems.
Normal feeding behaviours and nutritional requirements of a range of animals in the animal care workplace are aligned with natural diet and controlled environment animal requirements.
Feeding strategies and methods to maximise activity and behavioural enrichment are evaluated.
Characteristics of under or over supply of nutrients are identified and methods used to monitor nutritional uptake are evaluated and practised.
Foodstuffs are classified according to nutrient content.
Foodstuffs are evaluated for shelf life, preparation requirements, availability and cost.
Hazards to animal and human health from food sources are identified and methods used to manage potential risks are implemented.
Feed weight and water requirements are estimated based on animal profiles.
Protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral supplement and fibre needs are estimated based on animal profiles.
Other dietary issues relevant to the animal's profile are identified and factored into dietary calculations.
Diet plans are prepared and documented after supervisor approval.
Food is prepared in accordance with diet plan and stored safely and hygienically
Food and water is presented in accordance to different species requirements and in compliance with organisation policy and procedures.
Food and water consumption is monitored and recorded in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
Abnormal feed intake or feeding behaviour are identified and reported in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
Animals are monitored for condition, metabolic and behavioural changes.
Reasons for poor response to diet are evaluated and specialist advice sought as required.
Required dietary changes are determined in consultation with supervisor and / or others.
Dietary variations are documented and records updated as required.
Animals are classified according to natural nutrient sources and types of digestive systems.
Normal feeding behaviours and nutritional requirements of a range of animals in the animal care workplace are aligned with natural diet and controlled environment animal requirements.
Feeding strategies and methods to maximise activity and behavioural enrichment are evaluated.
Characteristics of under or over supply of nutrients are identified and methods used to monitor nutritional uptake are evaluated and practised.
Foodstuffs are classified according to nutrient content.
Foodstuffs are evaluated for shelf life, preparation requirements, availability and cost.
Hazards to animal and human health from food sources are identified and methods used to manage potential risks are implemented.
Feed weight and water requirements are estimated based on animal profiles.
Protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral supplement and fibre needs are estimated based on animal profiles.
Other dietary issues relevant to the animal's profile are identified and factored into dietary calculations.
Diet plans are prepared and documented after supervisor approval.
Food is prepared in accordance with diet plan and stored safely and hygienically
Food and water is presented in accordance to different species requirements and in compliance with organisation policy and procedures.
Food and water consumption is monitored and recorded in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
Abnormal feed intake or feeding behaviour are identified and reported in accordance with organisation policy and procedures.
Animals are monitored for condition, metabolic and behavioural changes.
Reasons for poor response to diet are evaluated and specialist advice sought as required.
Required dietary changes are determined in consultation with supervisor and / or others.
Dietary variations are documented and records updated as required.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
ACMGAS303A - Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals
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Assessment Record Sheet
ACMGAS303A - Plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals
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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent
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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent