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: 

Show an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of poultry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119452  Show an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of poultry 
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  5 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 demonstrate an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of poultry, in order that an insight into the principles of poultry production are appreciated. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Literacy and Numeracy level 2. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify the major external components of the body structure of poultry and understand their functions. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Body heat, feathers, skin, disease-causing organisms, movement of the body, skeleton, muscles, mouth, nasal cavities, beak and tongue. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The protective functions of a bird's feathers and skin are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The functions of all the external openings on the body of poultry are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The role of the skeleton is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The movement by muscle contraction is explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Wind pipe, heart and veins, lungs, heat stress, panting, inability to sweat. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The process of breathing and the chief components of the respiratory system are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The function of the heart is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons why poultry pant are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Understand the process of feed digestion and the transport of absorbable products through the body. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Mouth, tongue, esophagus, crop, glandular stomach and gizzard, small intestines, cloaca, vent, indigestible products, enzymes, process of absorption of nutrients, blood as transport medium. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The functions of the different parts of the digestive tract are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The transport and absorption of products during digestion are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Describe the process of egg formation. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Ovary, yolk formation, release of yolks and engulfment by oviduct, egg white formation, egg shell formation, feed and skeleton sources of calcium. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The functions of the different parts of the hen's reproductive tract are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The sources of calcium for the formation of egg shell are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Understand the male reproductive system. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Testis, sperm formation, mating, fertilization. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The functions of the different parts of the male reproductive system are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The process of mating and fertilization is 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:
  • Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life. 
    		•

    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:
  • Identify the major external components of the body structure of poultry and understand their functions.
  • Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life.
  • Understand the process of feed digestion and the transport of absorbable products through the body.
  • Describe the process of egg formation.
  • Understand the male reproductive system. 
    		•

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

    Refer to the following specific outcome:
  • Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life. 
    		•

    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:
  • Identify the major external components of the body structure of poultry and understand their functions.
  • Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life.
  • Understand the process of feed digestion and the transport of absorbable products through the body.
  • Describe the process of egg formation.
  • Understand the male reproductive system. 
    		•

    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:
  • Identify the major external components of the body structure of poultry and understand their functions.
  • Recognize the components of the cardio and respiratory systems and their functions to sustain life.
  • Understand the process of feed digestion and the transport of absorbable products through the body.
  • Describe the process of egg formation.
  • Understand the male reproductive system. 
    		•

    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  49581   National Certificate: Poultry Processing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49582   National Certificate: Poultry Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49579   National Certificate: Poultry Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    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 


    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.