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: 

Monitor the incubation process in hatcheries 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119427  Monitor the incubation process in hatcheries 
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 2  NQF Level 02  15 
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 become conversant with the practices and procedures of incubation to achieve high yields of quality chicks. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Health and safety level 1. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Understand the importance of monitoring the incubation environment to ensure high hatchability. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, heat production by embryos, oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal, egg turning, egg orientation, candling. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The effect that variations in incubator temperature have on embryo development is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The effect that relative humidity has on embryo development is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The function of ventilation in the incubation process is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons why the eggs are regularly tilted in the incubator are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Understand the procedures for the transference of eggs from the setter to the hatcher. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Care with handling eggs, ventilation of eggs in trolleys, fumigation, temperature extremes, checking moisture loss, heat production by embryos. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The procedures for the handling of eggs during the transfer from setter trays to hatchery baskets is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The consequences of subjecting the eggs to rough handling during the transfer are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons for maintaining air movement over eggs in setter trolleys during transfer are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons for fumigation at the pipping stage are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Understand the procedures for monitoring the hatcher to maintain the correct environmental conditions for the final stages of incubation. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, humidity, ventilation requirements, heat production. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The reasons why the ventilation rate is increased during the last stages of hatching are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons why the humidity in the hatchers is increased are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Understand the chick take-off procedures and the criteria for the selection of sub-standard chicks. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Body temperature of day-old chicks, PPE, face masks, fluff inhalation, bio-security procedures, dehydration, overheating, chilling, bloody navels, uneven hatching in trays, weak chickens, hygiene, malformations, red hocks, exploders, yolk sac infection, E. coli. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The need for maintaining the correct temperature in the take-off room is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons for ensuring the correct ventilation in the take-off area are detailed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The need for wearing protective clothing and face masks. is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The importance of adhering to strict bio-security procedures is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The characteristics of first grade day-old chicks are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The reasons for unhealed navels and yolk sac infections are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Understand the sexing, vaccination and despatch of day-old chicks. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Female reproductive openings, male reproductive organ, inherited sex-linked factors, vaccine storage and mixing procedures, immunity on equal levels. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The principles of vent-sexing, colour sexing and feather sexing are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons for vaccinating day-old chicks are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The procedures for mixing and storing of vaccines are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Understand the procedures for the cleaning and disinfecting of the hatchery and its equipment. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Equipment, floors, walls, ceilings, incubators, swabs, micro-organisms, sanitise, disinfect, air ducts, drains, bacteria, mould, viruses. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The cleaning and disinfecting procedures are demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The methods of testing the hygiene levels in the hatchery are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The waste handing and disposal procedures are described. 


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.

    Refer to the following specific outcome:
  • Understand the procedures for the cleaning and disinfecting of the hatchery and its equipment. 
    		•

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

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

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

    Refer to the following specific outcomes:
  • Understand the importance of monitoring the incubation environment to ensure high hatchability.
  • Understand the procedures for the transference of eggs from the setter to the hatcher.
  • Understand the procedures for monitoring the hatcher to maintain the correct environmental conditions for the final stages of incubation.
  • Understand the chick take-off procedures and the criteria for the selection of sub-standard chicks.
  • Understand the sexing, vaccination and despatch of day-old chicks.
  • Understand the procedures for the cleaning and disinfecting of the hatchery and its equipment. 
    		•

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

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

    Refer to the following specific outcomes:
  • Understand the importance of monitoring the incubation environment to ensure high hatchability.
  • Understand the procedures for the transference of eggs from the setter to the hatcher.
  • Understand the procedures for monitoring the hatcher to maintain the correct environmental conditions for the final stages of incubation.
  • Understand the chick take-off procedures and the criteria for the selection of sub-standard chicks.
  • Understand the sexing, vaccination and despatch of day-old chicks.
  • Understand the procedures for the cleaning and disinfecting of the hatchery and its equipment. 
    		•

    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.

    Refer to the following specific outcomes:
  • Understand the importance of monitoring the incubation environment to ensure high hatchability.
  • Understand the procedures for the transference of eggs from the setter to the hatcher.
  • Understand the procedures for monitoring the hatcher to maintain the correct environmental conditions for the final stages of incubation.
  • Understand the chick take-off procedures and the criteria for the selection of sub-standard chicks.
  • Understand the sexing, vaccination and despatch of day-old chicks.
  • Understand the procedures for the cleaning and disinfecting of the hatchery and its equipment. 
    		•

    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  49580   General Education and Training Certificate: Poultry Production  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  49582   National Certificate: Poultry Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    3. Mvelo Consultant 
    4. New Heights 1082 
    5. SBJ Shadikamang Agriculture 
    6. Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd 
    7. Silver Falls Scientific 
    8. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    9. Tripple R Training Provider 


    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.