Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for brooding
- Confirm work to be undertaken from work program and management
- Follow biosecurity procedures
- Hold discussions with other workers who may be affected by the brooding operations to ensure smooth operation of enterprise production processes
- Select, check and maintain tools and equipment
- Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls
- Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment
- Place hatchlings
- Check shed and equipment has been set up correctly for placement of chickens and for brooding
- Start heaters prior to chick placement to ensure brooding section is at required temperature for chick placement
- Check feed, water and shed conditions are adequate
- Check shed and litter are at required temperatures
- Carry chick containers safely and gently remove chickens from boxes and place on litter, paper or matting
- Check chick behaviour regularly after placement
- Follow enterprise animal welfare policies
- Carry out brooding operations
- Observe chick behaviour regularly
- Check temperature regularly and adjust according to chicks requirements
- Pick up dead birds and dispose of carcases
- Identify and remove sick, injured or unthrifty birds
- Remove paper or matting at appropriate time
- Extend brooding area as young birds grow
- Check equipment, shed climate, litter condition and ventilation regularly, and adjust as necessary
- Clean drinkers and equipment regularly
- Remove wet litter and replace where appropriate
- Adjust lighting program as chickens grow
- Carry out black-out training where required
- Monitor beak tipping at appropriate times
- Monitor body weight regularly
- Monitor feed and water intake
- Complete cleaning, maintenance and administration activities