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 and manage the poultry production environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119444  Monitor and manage the poultry production environment 
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 most favourable environmental conditions within the constraints of prevailing climatic conditions for optimal growth and egg production 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Utilizing environmental management practices level 2 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Understand the mechanisms of body temperature regulation by young and adult poultry 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Body temperature 42°C, tolerance to variation, homeothermy, sensible heat loss: (convection, radiation and conduction), metabolic heat production by poultry, latent heat loss, evaporative heat loss, energy requirements, air temperature and relative humidity. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The effect that high air temperatures have on the poultry's body's temperature regulation processes is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Processes of convection, radiation and conduction.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The effect that low air temperatures have on the poultry's body's temperature regulation processes is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The latent (evaporative) heat loss by poultry as a mechanism to maintain a normal body temperature is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The effect that humidity levels in the environment have on the efficiency of poultry's evaporative cooling is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The effect that temperature has on the relative humidity of air is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The production of body heat in poultry and the mechanisms involved are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The reasons why environmental temperatures affect the feed intake of poultry are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Understand the principles for ventilating poultry buildings and ancubators. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Fresh in, foul out, supply oxygen, remove CO2, reduce ammonia/moisture/heat, cold/hot spots, dust on louvers, blades, belts, wind against fans, fan speed, air mixing, louver size and air speed, louver direction and airflow patterns, air volume, evaporative-cooling pads, relative humidity. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The reasons why poultry buildings require ventilation are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The factors that affect the air speed and direction of flow in a poultry building are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The procedures for the prevention of cold draughts in a poultry house are explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
As per company SOP's'.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The factors that affect the efficiency of a fan's performance are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The measuring and calculation of the air displacement in a building is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
The limitations on the evaporative cooling of poultry houses are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Understand the various air-flow patterns that occur in naturally ventilated poultry houses. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Wind direction and speed, temperature differences, stack effect, positive and negative pressure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Wind speed as force for the ventilation of poultry buildings is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The way in which the temperature differences in the stack effect, contribute to the ventilation of a poultry house is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The comparison between the efficiencies of wind speed ventilation and the stack effect is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The role that temperature plays in increasing or decreasing the relative humidity in a poultry house is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Understand the effect that the air temperature has on the capacity for moisture removal from bedding material or manure. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Brooding, cold and humid climates, huddling, water leaks, moisture holding capacity of material, minimum ventilation, dew point, ammonia formation, cilia of the respiratory tract, bacterial penetration. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The problems associated with moisture removal from bedding and manure when minimum ventilation is practiced during winter months are described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Minimum ventilation can result in low moisture-holding capacity of air.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The dewpoint temperature is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The detrimental effects that high ammonia levels have on bird health are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Demonstrate an understanding of the lighting equipment used in poultry houses. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Time switches, power failures, minimum illumination, incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, units for measuring illumination, light meters. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The methods of measuring the levels of illumination are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The types of lamps most commonly used in poultry houses and their illumination to power consumption efficiencies are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The importance of providing an even distribution of light throughout the poultry house is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
Understand the effects that photoperiods have on the growth and sexual maturity of poultry. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Brooding period, stimulation of sexual maturity, photoreceptors in brain, molting, ovary development, water intake and light period, natural light. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The influence that light has on the sexual development in growing pullets and cockerels is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The effects that increasing and decreasing the photoperiods have on egg production is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The differences in the light management practices between light-tight and open houses for the different classes of poultry are indicated. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7 
Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Heating, gas, water pumps, generators, ventilation systems, production losses, company SOP's. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The effects that a power failure has on the production of a poultry farm are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The emergency procedures to follow, in the event of a power failure are detailed. 


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:
  • Understand the air-flow patterns in mechanically ventilated houses and the use of evaporative cooling
  • Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures 
    		•

    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.

    Specific Outcome:
  • Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures 
    		•

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

    Specific Outcome:
  • Understand the mechanisms of body temperature regulation by young and adult poultry
  • Understand the air-flow patterns in mechanically ventilated houses and the use of evaporative cooling
  • Understand the effect that the air temperature has on the capacity for moisture removal from bedding material or manure
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the lighting equipment used in poultry houses
  • Understand the effects that photoperiods have on the growth and sexual maturity of poultry 
    		•

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

    Specific Outcome:
  • Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures 
    		•

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

    Specific Outcome:
  • Understand the mechanisms of body temperature regulation by young and adult poultry
  • Understand the air-flow patterns in mechanically ventilated houses and the use of evaporative cooling
  • Understand the various air-flow patterns that occur in naturally ventilated poultry houses
  • Understand the effect that the air temperature has on the capacity for moisture removal from bedding material or manure
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the lighting equipment used in poultry houses
  • Understand the effects that photoperiods have on the growth and sexual maturity of poultry
  • Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures 
    		•

    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:
  • Understand the mechanisms of body temperature regulation by young and adult poultry
  • Understand the air-flow patterns in mechanically ventilated houses and the use of evaporative cooling
  • Understand the various air-flow patterns that occur in naturally ventilated poultry houses
  • Understand the effect that the air temperature has on the capacity for moisture removal from bedding material or manure
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the lighting equipment used in poultry houses
  • Understand the effects that photoperiods have on the growth and sexual maturity of poultry
  • Understand the importance of the back up systems for power failures 
    		•

    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
    Core  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. Joypat farming and Projects 
    4. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 


    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.