On a poultry worker apprenticeship you’ll help farm birds for their eggs or meat.
The main duty of a poultry worker is to raise the animals with the utmost care and consideration for their needs at all stages of their lives.
You will discover that working as a poultry worker is a hands-on profession that mixes technology and physical labour. Working as a poultry worker requires compassion, self-motivation, and the ability to work both alone and as part of a team. You will be held responsible for your own work, but you will be carefully watched.
Because animal welfare is a major priority on farms, the key to being a good poultry worker is understanding your limits and knowing when to seek help. You will be in responsible of supporting the bird development process, keeping bird housing in good condition, and planning and monitoring the livestock production environment. This will include ensuring that they are cared for in accordance with health and welfare requirements.
What you’ll learn
On a poultry worker apprenticeship, you’ll learn to:
- Maintain a safe working environment and perform work in a safe manner. Implement site procedures and reports incidents/hazardous circumstances.
- Implement and monitor biosecurity laws and procedures on the workplace. Takes corrective action as required. Site security requirements are adhered to.
- Implement site and personal hygiene procedure, such as proper access and departure restrictions. Maintain a clean environment in accordance with the agreed-upon requirements for the facility.
- Prepare facilities for the arrival and departure of birds. Transport and move birds in a safe, effective, and compassionate way. Using and utilising appropriate manual handling techniques
- Monitor and maintain the health of the bird. egg’s Determine the status of the bird/egg and takes necessary action.
- Maintain and operate equipment such as ventilation, feeding equipment, drinking equipment, incubators, and nest boxes in a safe and effective way (as suitable for the age/breed/bird requirement).
- Use the appropriate technology and techniques for the job. (Some examples include computerised shed environmental management equipment, hatchery processing equipment, environmental testing equipment, and egg grading and packaging equipment.)
- Perform required checks on time and keep/update/maintain relevant records.
- Adhere to and implement welfare practise standards, including the five freedoms (as described in knowledge)
- Implement and enforce business/industry and regulatory obligations, including industry assurance standards relevant to the operation
- Use problem-solving abilities while carrying out duties and tasks. Interacts well with colleagues, managers, and site visitors.
What you’ll do
Your day-to-day tasks on a poultry worker apprenticeship could be to:
- Replenish feeders and water containers.
- Disinfectant chicken houses.
- Examines poultry for disease and removes sick, weak, or dead birds from the flock.
- Collect eggs from trap nests, releases hens from nests, and records the number of eggs laid by each hen.
- Choose, weigh, and box fryers and pullets; and records totals packed or crates on shipping or storage papers.
- Maintains feeding and breeding records.
- Use handtools to clean, adjust, lubricate, and replace system components as well as monitor feed, water, lighting, and ventilation systems.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- GCSEs including English and maths or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience for an intermediate apprenticeship
Assessment methods
The end point assessment contain three components. All components must be passed for the apprentice to meet the apprentice standard:
- Multiple choice test
- Observational practical assessment
- Professional discussion
Working environment
Your job may be cold and physically taxing.
You may be required to wear protective equipment.
Career path and progression
Individuals who successfully pass the Level 2 poultry worker standard can to move to a higher technical position on a poultry farm.
Key facts
Duration: 12 months
Relevant school subjects: Food technology
Entry requirements: Depend on employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience
Achievement upon completion: Level 2 (Intermediate)—equivalent to GCSEs
Potential salary upon completion: £18,000 per annum
Apprenticeship Standard
More information about the Level 2 Poultry Worker Apprenticeship standard can be found here.
Apprenticeship End Point Assessment
For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.
