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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of basic health management practices on poultry holdings 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119537  Demonstrate an understanding of basic health management practices on poultry holdings 
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  6 
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 understand the predisposing conditions that lead to diseases in poultry and how the different body systems are affected. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Apply health management practices for poultry level 2. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Demonstrate an understanding of the aggravating factors that may result in disease manifestation in poultry. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Poor management, stress, entry route, level of infection, feed rejection, feeder space, chilling, overheating, draughts, mild disease, panic, lighting, dust, ammonia, overcrowding and direct contact. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The relationship between feed rejection and the manifestation of disease in poultry is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Stress factors that can result in the onset of disease are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons why air quality and ventilation affects poultry's susceptibility to disease are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons why of overcrowded conditions favour the onset of disease in poultry are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that assist in the prevention of disease in poultry. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Natural defence, immunity, good sanitation, bio-security, good feathering to prevent skin lesions, cilia in respiratory system, maintenance of mucous membranes, early feed intake, yolk absorption, vaccination schedule, disease challenge. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The effects that an early feed intake by day-old chicks have on the absorption of maternal antibodies in yolk are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The role that an early water intake has on disease prevention is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons why good sanitary conditions can contribute to good health on poultry holdings are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons why a veterinarian should be consulted when planning a vaccination program for the particular circumstances prevailing on a poultry farm, are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The benefits of an all-in all-out stocking program and the implementation of rest periods for the prevention of diseases, are described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Identify abnormal behaviour in poultry and the signs that are characteristic of diseases of the various body systems. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Sneezing, snicking, swollen eyelids, nasal discharge, wet or bloody droppings, ruffled feathers, skin and feather lesions, lameness, hock sitting, dullness, muscle inco-ordination, increased mortality, gasping and gaping. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The behaviour and signs of distress that poultry might exhibit when the respiratory system is affected, are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The visible signs of distress and behaviour of poultry, when the gastro-intestinal system is affected, are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The behaviour and signs of distress that poultry might exhibit when the muscular-skeletal system is affected, are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The appearance of poultry in which the blood and circulatory system has been affected, is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The appearance of feathers and the behaviour of poultry affected by external parasites, is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Submit mortalities and sick birds for diagnosis and complete all necessary documentation. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Daily mortalities, flock history, vaccination history, production figures, reports on blood tests, numbers affected, observations on bird behaviour and the time span, cooling of carcasses, transporting sick birds. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The information required by a veterinarian to decide on the corrective action during a disease outbreak, is detailed. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The sampling and handling of infected or dead birds for dispatch to the diagnostic centre, is described. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
Apply medication according to the prescribed program. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Antibiotics, water medication, level of dosage, dosage period, withdrawal period and human health, meat and egg contamination. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The estimation of water intake and the dilution ratios of medicine is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons for the adherence to specific dosages and the duration of medication administration are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons for the strict adherence to withdrawal periods of medication, 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.
  • 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 Specific Outcome:
  • 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the aggravating factors that may result in disease manifestation in poultry.
  • 3. Identify abnormal behaviour in poultry and the signs that are characteristic of diseases of the various body systems.
  • 4. Submit mortalities and sick birds for diagnosis and complete all necessary documentation. 
    		•

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

    Refer to Specific Outcome:
  • 4. Submit mortalities and sick birds for diagnosis and complete all necessary documentation. 
    		•

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

    Refer to Specific Outcome:
  • 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that assist in the prevention of disease in poultry.
  • 4. Submit mortalities and sick birds for diagnosis and complete all necessary documentation. 
    		•

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

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

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

    Specific Outcome: Embedded. 

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

    Refer to all Specific Outcomes. 

    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 all Specific Outcomes. 

    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. 

    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 


    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.