Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to move and control alpacas using basic handling methods and procedures.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They identify and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.
In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1 Prepare to handle alpacas | 1.1 Identify, prepare and maintain alpaca handling areas, gates and access routes 1.2 Locate and identify alpacas for handling according to supervisor instructions 1.3 Observe and anticipate behavioural characteristics of alpacas and select appropriate handling methods 1.4 Select, check for soundness and prepare handling equipment 1.5 Identify hazards and report to supervisor 1.6 Recognise hazards to animals and report to supervisor 1.7 Observe site quarantine and other biosecurity protocols 1.8 Select and use suitable personal protective equipment |
2. Handle alpacas | 2.1 Follow procedures to control and sort alpacas safely and in line with enterprise animal welfare policies 2.2 Classify alpacas according to age, sex and husbandry tasks to be performed 2.3 Carry out restraint procedures with minimum stress and discomfort to alpacas 2.4 Transport alpacas when required according to animal welfare requirements 2.5 Monitor and anticipate alpaca behaviour during moving and handling processes to ensure wellbeing of alpacas and safety of handlers 2.6 Conduct alpaca count record 2.7 Recognise environmental impacts of alpaca handling and husbandry tasks and report to supervisor |
3. Carry out alpaca husbandry tasks | 3.1 Carry out alpaca husbandry safely and in line with enterprise animal welfare policies 3.2 Identify unhealthy stock and abnormal conditions and behaviour and report 3.3 Provide adequate feed and clean water to stock 3.4 Recognise plants poisonous to alpacas and report to supervisor |
4. Complete alpaca handling activities | 4.1 Complete alpaca husbandry tasks as instructed, and prepare gates and access routes for alpacas' departure 4.2 Clean and maintain handling areas and equipment and store surplus materials 4.3 Report equipment faults or malfunctions 4.4 Dispose of alpaca residues and waste appropriately 4.5 Record and report relevant information about particular animals and the husbandry tasks performed |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify hazards and apply safe work practices
assess and calculate alpaca numbers
prepare handling areas, gates and access routes for alpaca movement
monitor and anticipate alpaca behaviour in handling operations
identify, sort, move and control alpacas for handling and husbandry operations
use correct equipment, and calming and humane methods to minimise undue stress and risk to alpacas or handlers
carry out typical basic alpaca husbandry tasks
recognise and report signs of unusual behaviour, unhealthy animals or abnormal conditions
control environmental impacts associated with alpaca handling and husbandry
feed and provide adequate clean water to alpacas
identify a range of plants poisonous to alpacas
provide due care in the handling of alpacas
read and comprehend oral and written information and instructions and maintaining alpaca handling records
use enterprise alpaca identification systems
follow relevant work health and safety requirements
follow relevant biosecurity requirements
follow relevant animal welfare practices
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
alpaca behavioural characteristics and movement in handling areas
classes of alpacas and their basic nutritional and welfare requirements
components and functions of handling equipment
enterprise identification systems for alpacas
environmental codes of practice with regard to alpaca production
correct handling techniques and restraint methods
alpaca husbandry procedures and why they are carried out
regulatory controls relating to the transport of animals on public roads
relevant work health and safety requirements
relevant animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes of practice
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the work place or workplace and simulated environments that accurately reflect performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Livestock (LSK)