Poultry breeder

Poultry breeders raise chickens to produce eggs or for meat retail. They typically feed and care for them, also keeping charts to select the optimum chickens for production and mating, but some work in research labs and in the offices of poultry producers.

The duties of a poultry breeder include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluating the condition of animals to ensure that they are healthy and comfortable
• Feeding chickens and turkeys with specialized diets designed to promote growth or prevent disease
• Selling chickens or other poultry at local markets or directly to consumers
• Culling chickens from the flock if they are injured or become ill
• Maintaining chicken coops, pens, and other housing facilities in good repair
• Observing the behavior of chickens to detect changes in activity level or feather condition
• Cleaning and maintaining poultry farm equipment and facilities
• Raising chickens for meat and eggs through breeding and hatching chicks
• Keeping records of feed consumption, egg production, and health conditions of poultry
• Inspecting chickens for signs of disease or infestation by parasites.

Poultry breeders typically work long hours, often more than 60 hours per week. They may work early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. The work can be physically demanding, and poultry farmers are often exposed to unpleasant smells, noise, and dirt. They may also be exposed to hazardous materials, such as pesticides and cleaning chemicals.

Poultry breeders work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, so they must be able to tolerate extreme heat and cold. They also work indoors in chicken houses, which are typically noisy and dusty.

The following job titles also refer to poultry breeder:

poultry specialist
chicken breeder
poultry breeders
poultry rearer

Most employers require poultry breeders to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in agriculture or animal science. These degrees provide foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, animal science and agriculture.

Employers usually provide on-the-job training.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Poultry breeder is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to poultry breeder.

dog breeder
fur animals breeder
bee breeder
pig breeder
sheep breeder

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of poultry breeder. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of poultry breeder with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

animal hydrotherapist
animal massage therapist
animal embryo transfer technician
alternative animal therapist
animal artificial insemination technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of poultry breeder.

• Signs of animal illness: Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
• Animal nutrition: Aspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.
• Animal welfare legislation: The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
• Livestock species: Livestock species and relevant genetics.
• Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.

These skills are necessary for the role of poultry breeder.

• Control animal movement: Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal’s, or a group of animals’, movement.
• Manage animal biosecurity: Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
• Provide nutrition to animals: Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.’
• Assist in transportation of animals: Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.
• Provide first aid to animals: Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
• Maintain professional records: Produce and maintain records of work performed.
• Create animal records: Create animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.
• Maintain animal accommodation: Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.
• Manage animal hygiene: Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
• Care for juvenile animals: Assess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.
• Dispose of dead animals: Dispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.
• Monitor the production of eggs: Measure control of temperature and humidity in incubators and keep records of egg production.
• Monitor the welfare of animals: Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals’ accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
• Operate farm equipment: Supervise the smooth running of farm equipment which can include high pressure cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning and monitor the temperature of premises. Make sure tractors and other vehicles are running smoothly. Interpret instructions given by computer programs and report simple operations.
• Assist animal birth: Assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodine.
• Manage poultry breeding: Prepare a suitable environment for poultry breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of poultry. Monitor the poultry’s growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determinate when the poultry are ready for trade, consumption or other purposes.
• Handle feathers: Clean, sort, dry and package feathers taking into account the company policy and specific orders.
• Administer specific drugs to facilitate breeding: Administer specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and record keeping.
• Administer treatment to animals: Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of poultry breeder. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Animal welfare: Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are:
  • need for a suitable environment
  • need for a suitable environment
  • need for a suitable diet
  • need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
  • need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals
  • need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
• Computerised feeding systems: The functioning of computer-controlled systems that provide animal feeding.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of poultry breeder. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Assess management of animals: Evaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.
• Advise customers on appropriate pet care: Provide information to customers on how to feed and care for pets, appropriate food choices, vaccination needs, etc.
• Assess animal nutrition: Assess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.
• Advise on animal purchase: Advise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Maintain welfare of animals during transportation: Keep the health and welfare of animals during transportation, including frequent monitoring for signs of stress and symptoms of ill health.
• Train animals: Train animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.
• Implement exercise activities for animals: Provide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.
• Work with veterinarians: Consult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.
• Assess animal behaviour: Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.
• Advise on animal welfare: Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommendations for corrective actions.

6122 – Poultry producers

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References

1. Poultry breeder – ESCO
2. Agricultural Workers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Poultry Farmer Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – ClimbtheLadder
4. Poultry Breeder: Job Description, Duties and Salary – Best Accredited Colleges
5. Featured image: Photo by cottonbro