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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage the brooding of poultry chicks 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119409  Manage the brooding of poultry chicks 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
To create the optimum environmental conditions for the early development of body functions in newly hatched chickens. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Protective clothing PPE, face masks, feed, water, hygiene, bedding. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The reinstallation of all the poultry house equipment is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The testing of all the poultry house equipment for correct functioning is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons for the final fumigation are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons wearing protective clothing are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Describe the physical appearances of healthy day-old chicks. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Eyes, navels, down, legs, body mass, abdomen soft and pliable, gasping, signs of dehydration. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The general appearance and behaviour of a day-old chicks is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The normal appearance of navels and abdomen is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The signs of dehydration that day-old chicks exhibit are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Describe the day-old chick's limited ability to maintain a constant body temperature. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Carbohydrates, fats, yolk utilization, feed, floor temperature, insulating value of down, limited energy reserves, body surface to weight, heat loss to floor and bedding material. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The energy reserves of chicks and their ability to utilize these at day-old are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The limitations for the young chicks maintenance of body heat are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The necessity of preheating the brooding area prior to the placement of chicks is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Describe the placement of chicks in the brooding environment. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Bone dislocations, skeleton injuries, stress, paper sheets, water fonts, feed availability, chick counts. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The correct handling procedures when transferring the chicks from the boxes to the brooding environment are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The consequences of rough handling of the chicks are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The positioning of chicks in relation to drinker and feeder positions is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Provide feed in a form that will facilitate early intake by chicks. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Nutrients, gut development, gut villi, maintenance of body temperature, absorption of yolk, antibodies in yolk, feed texture, meal, crumbs, crop fill, intestinal contents. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The role that nutrients play in the functioning of the gut is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The nutrients that serve as energy sources for heat production are detailed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The importance of the chicks yolk absorption is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The identification of chicks that are not consuming feed is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The corrective procedures to adopt when chicks are not consuming their feed are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Provide sufficient water, at an easily accessible height, to facilitate early water intake. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Mucous membranes, bacterial infections, panting, body temperature regulation, dry faeces, wrinkled skin on toes and legs. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The function of water for the maintenance of good health in chicks is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The role that water plays in the evaporative cooling of the chick is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The signs that are exhibited by chicks that are not drinking is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Provide sufficient ventilation for the chicks during early brooding and prevent chilling or the creation of cold spots. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Minimum ventilation, oxygen, carbon dioxide, moisture, cold draughts, air speed, airflow patterns, chicken behaviour, huddling, vacant areas near inlets or on the floor, panting, sleepy chicks, no feeding. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The term 'minimum ventilation' and how it is achieved during brooding is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The behavioural patterns of chicks that are avoiding hot or cold spots are identified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The procedures for the prevention of cold spots and draughts during brooding are explained. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established principles. Practical assessment activities will be used, which are appropriate to the contents in which qualifying learners are working. These activities will include an appropriate combination of self and peer assessment, practical and oral assessments, observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge be assessed. The specific outcomes must be assessed in its own right, through oral and practical evidence. It cannot be assessed by observation only.

    The specific outcomes and essential knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge, but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, then they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a learner is able to perform specific outcomes, but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found, both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected in the assessment criteria of each specific outcome 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
  • Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
  • Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
  • Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
  • Exploring education and career opportunities; and
  • Developing entrepreneurial opportunities 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been mad.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Describe the placement of chicks in the brooding environment
  • Provide feed in a form that will facilitate early intake by chicks
  • Provide sufficient ventilation for the chicks during early brooding and prevent chilling or the creation of cold spots 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyze, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks
  • Describe the physical appearances of healthy day-old chicks
  • Describe the day-old chick's limited ability to maintain a constant body temperature
  • Describe the placement of chicks in the brooding environment
  • Provide feed in a form that will facilitate early intake by chicks
  • Provide sufficient water, at an easily accessible height, to facilitate early water intake
  • Provide sufficient ventilation for the chicks during early brooding and prevent chilling or the creation of cold spots 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks
  • Describe the physical appearances of healthy day-old chicks
  • Describe the day-old chick's limited ability to maintain a constant body temperature
  • Describe the placement of chicks in the brooding environment
  • Provide feed in a form that will facilitate early intake by chicks
  • Provide sufficient water, at an easily accessible height, to facilitate early water intake
  • Provide sufficient ventilation for the chicks during early brooding and prevent chilling or the creation of cold spots 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Preparing the poultry house to receive chicks
  • Describe the physical appearances of healthy day-old chicks
  • Describe the day-old chick's limited ability to maintain a constant body temperature
  • Describe the placement of chicks in the brooding environment
  • Provide feed in a form that will facilitate early intake by chicks
  • Provide sufficient water, at an easily accessible height, to facilitate early water intake
  • Provide sufficient ventilation for the chicks during early brooding and prevent chilling or the creation of cold spots 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49578   National Certificate: Poultry Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    1. Astral Operations Limited 
    2. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    3. Peritum Agri Institute 


    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.