SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Poultry Farmer 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99027  Occupational Certificate: Poultry Farmer 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - AgriSETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  226  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Poultry Farmer.

A Poultry Farmer attends to the management and control of a poultry-farming unit, the resources required, personnel, production targets, quality standards, and the optimal utilisation of the site.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Attend to poultry husbandry, healthcare and biosecurity practices.
  • Correct poultry production-related problems observed and provide guidance on production questions raised by subordinates.
  • Lead and control work teams.
  • Manage people, stock on hand and costs of a poultry-farming operation.
  • Provide day-to-day direction and control poultry-farming operations to ensure that production targets and quality standards are met.
  • Provide direction and oversee the functionality and maintenance of poultry-production units or sites.

    Rationale:
    The intensive farming nature of the Poultry-Farming sector requires skilled staff for the day-to-day running of the farm.

    The range of components covered in this qualification addresses key poultry-farming concepts and competencies required by persons in large commercial operations and small-scale operations, as well as by emerging poultry producers. The Curriculum supports the initiatives of the sector to transform the sector, and to build and expand poultry operations in rural farming areas.

    The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) supported the development of this Qualification. The SAPA represents all the major role-players in the different sections of poultry farming and has a membership in the order of 180 commercial farming operations as well as some 290 emerging poultry farmers.

    Learners seeking to secure a career in the Commercial Poultry Farming sector as well as persons aiming to engage in small-scale poultry farming for personal gain will benefit from this qualification.

    The establishment of small-scale poultry farming operations is recognised as an important opportunity for rural development in South Africa, both for subsistence purposes as well as emerging farmer development. These initiatives are supported by the scope and structure of this qualification.

    On the other hand, large commercial poultry operations are finding it increasingly difficult to operate successfully within the global poultry production environment. Transformation of the sector; building skills and competencies to enhance competitiveness, is recognised by the sector as a key driver of future viability of the South African poultry industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related Curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a Statement of Results or certifying a Work Experience Record.

    RPL for access to the qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
  • NQF Level 4 with Mathematical Literacy. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 612201000-KM-01, Introduction to the poultry farming industry, at NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-02, The work environment on a poultry farm, at NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-03, Introduction to poultry production and disease control, at NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-04, Leading work teams on a poultry farm, at NQF Level 3, 4 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-05, Poultry farm business management concepts, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-06, Personnel management concepts, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-07, Anatomy and physiology of poultry, at NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-08, Poultry husbandry and healthcare, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-KM-09, Poultry housing and equipment, at NQF Level 5, 6 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Knowledge Modules: 62.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 612201000-PM-01, Conduct poultry husbandry and record-keeping practices, at NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-02, Conduct biosecurity and healthcare practices, at NQF Level 2, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-03, Recognise and address poultry production-related problems observed, at NQF Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-04, Lead and direct work teams, at NQF Level 4, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-05, Monitor and control costs and stock on hand, at NQF Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-06, Attend to the personnel management functions on a poultry farming unit, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-07, Attend to the day-to-day management functions of poultry farming activities, at NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-08, Monitor, evaluate and respond to production trends, at NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-10, Manage the poultry unit maintenance and physical biosecurity measures, at NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-PM-09, Manage the utilisation of a poultry site or farm, at NQF Level 05, 8 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Practical Skill Modules: 72.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • 612201000-WM-01, Production, healthcare and biosecurity practices on a poultry farm, at NQF Level 2, 16 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-02, Provide guidance and address production, healthcare and biosecurity problems on a poultry farm, at NQF Level 3, 12 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-03, Allocate work and direct a work team in different poultry-farming production activities for a period of two weeks, at NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-04, Poultry farm records and administrative processes, at NQF Level 4, 8 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-05, Management of people, stock on hand and costs of a poultry farming unit, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-06, Attend to the management and reporting on operational planning and execution of poultry farming activities, at NQF Level 5, 24 Credits.
  • 612201000-WM-07, Attend to the management, reporting on and control of facility utilisation and maintenance, at NQF Level 5, 12 Credits.
    Total number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 92. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct poultry husbandry, healthcare and biosecurity practices.
    2. Monitor and correct poultry production-related problems observed.
    3. Lead and direct the activities of work teams on a poultry production unit.
    4. Manage people, stock on hand and costs of a poultry farming operation.
    5. Provide day-to-day direction and control poultry farming operations to ensure that production targets and quality standards are met.
    6. Oversee the functionality and maintenance of poultry production units or sites. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Workplace health and safety practices are complied with in accordance with workplace policies, standards and practices.
  • The housing conditions of a poultry unit are monitored and adjusted to ensure optimal poultry health and production conditions.
  • The daily supply of feed to poultry is monitored and adjusted to meet the required nutritional demands.
  • The supply of water to poultry is monitored and adjusted to meet the demands of the birds.
  • General healthcare practices are performed to ensure that the optimal health status of the birds is maintained.
  • Cleaning and sanitation practices are performed to ensure that the required hygiene status of the poultry unit is maintained.
  • Biosecurity controls are conformed with to meet the poultry site disease control protocols and standards.
  • Data are collected and recorded to ensure the availability of complete and accurate daily records.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Environmental control practices and measures in poultry production facilities are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Biosecurity practices and control measures on a poultry production unit are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Healthcare practices on a poultry production unit are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Poultry nutrition practices are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Ventilation problems are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Sanitary factors that will impact on poultry health are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Water quality, supply and microbial counts in water supply system are monitored, deviations are recognised and corrective actions are formulated in accordance with standard procedures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Supervision concepts and practices are applied to ensure productive work teams.
  • Performance standards are monitored, work schedules are planned, and work allocated to achieve desired work standards and outputs.
  • The principles of coaching are applied to maintain informed and competent team members.
  • Team members are informed through well-structured and facilitated briefing and information-sharing sessions.
  • Clearly worded instructions are issued to team members to ensure understanding.
  • A well-disciplined work team is maintained by adhering to workplace codes of conduct and accepted principles of fairness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Personnel management concepts and practices are applied in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
  • Workplace health and safety risks are minimised in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
  • Poultry farm business management concepts are applied to maintain a sustainable poultry business.
  • The utilisation of production resources is planned, directed and reported on to minimise waste and ensure sufficient stock levels to meet production demands.
  • Expenses are controlled against allocated budgets to maintain financial controls in accordance with workplace policies and procedures.
  • The utilisation of staff members is planned and directed in accordance with production schedules and staffing demands.
  • Stock levels and quality standards of production resources such as feed, medication, vaccines, and bedding are monitored and controlled in accordance with production schedules and staffing demands.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Poultry husbandry and production-related concepts and management practices are applied to achieve required production targets.
  • Poultry healthcare and disease management and control concepts, and management practices are applied to achieve required healthcare status of the flock.
  • Biosecurity protocols and management practices are applied to achieve the required biosecurity status for the poultry farm.
  • The production environment on a poultry farm as reflected by bird behaviour, health and housing conditions is managed to achieve production targets.
  • Standard working procedures are established for daily poultry farming activities to direct the achievement of standards and formalise work processes.
  • Production data are evaluated against targets and corrective measures are formulated and implemented where required to achieve production targets.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Optimal poultry housing standards are achieved in accordance with requirements for a productive and healthy poultry farming environment.
  • Equipment and technology used in poultry production systems are optimised to achieve a productive and healthy poultry farming environment.
  • The maintenance and repair requirements of facilities and equipment are monitored to ensure functionality, availability and reliability.
  • Farm facility utilisation and bird placement activities are planned, implemented and controlled to ensure the optimal utilisation of a poultry farming unit.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated formative assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the Curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated summative assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications and formal learning programmes in Poultry Farming in New Zealand, Australia and India were selected for international comparability purposes. Australia and New Zealand were selected based on the similarities in technical vocational education and training to South Africa. Whereas India was chosen due to the similar challenges that are experienced in South Africa.

    Australia:
    The Certificate in Poultry Production Operations registered on the Australian qualification framework was selected. The following unit of learning from the qualifications was selected for comparison:
  • Participate in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) processes.
  • Maintain health and welfare of poultry.
  • Monitor water supplies.
  • Clean out production sheds.
  • Follow site quarantine procedures (biosecurity).
  • Assist with feeding in a production system.
  • Maintain production growing environments.
  • Set up shed for placement of day-old chickens.
  • Implement animal health control programmes.
  • Identify and report unusual disease or plant pest signs (biosecurity).
  • Keep records for a primary production business.
  • Administer medication to livestock.
  • Coordinate and monitor production performance.
  • Implement feeding plans for intensive production.
  • Monitor livestock production growing environments.
  • Maintain and monitor feed stocks.
  • Clean and fumigate intensive production sheds.
  • Coordinate machinery and equipment maintenance and repair.

    New Zealand:
    The National Certificate in Poultry Production qualification in Poultry production registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) was selected for comparison:
    Graduates with the qualification will be able to carry out sanitation, cleaning, and residue control procedures in the poultry facility; maintain site biosecurity; recognise health and ill health in poultry; and have knowledge of food contamination hazards and control in poultry operations, poultry welfare, poultry diseases and their prevention, exotic diseases, poultry anatomy and body systems, and the poultry industry:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry welfare.
  • Recognise and respond to signs of stress in poultry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry biosecurity principles.
  • Carry out poultry site biosecurity procedures.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of food contamination hazards and control methods used in poultry operations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of cleaning and sanitation of poultry equipment and facilities.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of common diseases of poultry, and their prevention.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry anatomy and body systems.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the poultry industry and career pathways.
  • Catch, pick up, carry, hold, and handle poultry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements.
  • Enter and walk through poultry shed, inspect poultry and equipment, and identify health and ill health in poultry.

    National Certificate in Poultry Husbandry (Level 3) (NZQF NQ Ref 1177):
    Holders of the qualification will be able to care for poultry in a poultry facility. They will also have knowledge of the poultry industry and compliance issues; poultry anatomy and reproduction, nutrition and health; and the environmental requirements of poultry:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry anatomy and reproduction.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry nutrition.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the environmental requirements and systems for poultry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of poultry health and diseases.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the poultry industry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of compliance issues and their implications in the poultry industry.
  • Collect data for a specified purpose.
  • Care for poultry environment, development, and health during rearing.
  • Turn round a poultry facility between batches.
  • Speak to a specified audience in a predictable situation.
  • Give oral instructions in the workplace.
  • Give and respond to feedback on performance.

    India - The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) offers the Poultry Farming qualification.
    The qualification includes the following areas of learning:
    Poultry Farming - I:
  • Poultry Production in India, Biology of Fowl, Classification of Poultry Breeding, Principle of Poultry Breeding, Incubation Practices, Systems of Rearing Poultry, Housing and Equipment, Management of Chicks, Management of Growers, Management of Layer.

    Poultry Farming - II:
  • Management of Breeding stock, Management of Broilers, Fundamentals of Poultry Nutrition, Feeding of Poultry, Processing and Preservation of eggs, Processing and Preservation of Poultry Meat, Diseases of Poultry, Prevention and Control and Poultry Diseases, Commercial Poultry Operation.

    Conclusion:
    The South African qualification is comparable with the selected international qualifications in terms of the competencies the learners will develop upon completion of the qualifications. However, this qualification is also designed to meet the current transformational challenges in South Africa, especially in relation to the development of managerial competencies. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with livestock farming related qualifications such as:
  • National Diploma: Animal Production, NQF Level 5 (ID 49011).

    This qualification articulates vertically with livestock farming related qualifications such as:
  • Diploma in Agriculture Animal Production, NQF Level 6 (ID 96868). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of Statements of Results and a Record of Completed Work Experience including the Foundational Learning Competence.

    Additional legal or physical entry requirements:
  • None.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers.
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant Curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations. (QCTO) website.

    The Curriculum title and code is: 612201000: Poultry Farmer.

    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • This is not a trade. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.