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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Apply environmental management practices in poultry production 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119391  Apply environmental management practices in poultry production 
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 1  NQF Level 01  12 
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 effects that environmental conditions have on the health and productivity of poultry 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Applying health and safety in poultry production level 1 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
N/A 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Describe the effects that temperature extremes have on poultry. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Panting, beaks open, wings away from the body, lying down, water intake, cooling by evaporation of moisture, mortality due to heat stress, lack of appetite, production drops, huddling, increases in feed intake, smothering. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The signs of heat stress in poultry are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The role a bird's panting is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The reasons for the avoidance of heat stress in poultry are explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The behaviour of poultry during low environmental temperatures is described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The reasons for the avoidance of low environmental temperatures are explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Understand the importance of maintaining an adequate ventilation in a poultry house. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The concept of ventilation is described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Convection patterns of hot air, air movement due to pressure, wind force against buildings.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The reasons for the ventilation of poultry houses are explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Air as carrier of dust, replacement of hot air, air as carrier of moisture, air as carrier of noxious gases eg ammonia.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The two ventilation systems generally used in poultry houses are described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Mechanical ventilation by means of fans, natural ventilation due to wind pressure.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The factors that influence the ventilation rates in naturally ventilated buildings are described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Size of curtain openings, wind direction, wind speed.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
The main factors that influence the ventilation rates in mechanically ventilated buildings are described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Louver openings, dust on fans and louvers, tightness of fan belts, wind against fans.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The meaning of the term 'photoperiod' is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
The number of hours of light, light source of no importance.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The effect that a photoperiod has on feed intake patterns is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Feed intake only during light periods, continuous light essential for rapid growth.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The effect that a photoperiod has on the development of sexual maturity is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Increasing photoperiod stimulates sexual maturity, short photoperiods and decreasing photoperiods retard sexual development.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The effect that a photoperiod has on egg production is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Decreasing photoperiods cause moulting, constant photoperiods, increasing photoperiods.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Describe the effects that ammonia has on the health of poultry and the methods to control its formation in poultry houses. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The characteristics of ammonia are detailed. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Noxious gas mixes with air, irritating smell, decomposition product of poultry urine.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The factors that favour the formation of ammonia are detailed. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Wet bedding material, wet litter under cages, poor ventilation.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The harmful effects that ammonia fumes have on the health of poultry are explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Inflammation of the respiratory tract, ammonia burns under the feet of poultry.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons for the daily maintenance of bedding and manure are explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Removal/prevention of wet spots, leaking water lines, regular turning to expose underlying wet layers.
 


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 vidence. 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 
    N/A 

    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: All
  • Describe the effects that temperature extremes have on poultry
  • Understand the importance of maintaining an adequate ventilation in a poultry house
  • Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production
  • Describe the effects that ammonia has on the health of poultry and the methods to control its formation in poultry houses 
    		•

    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: 3
  • Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyze, organise and critically evaluate information;
    Specific Outcome: All
  • Describe the effects that temperature extremes have on poultry
  • Understand the importance of maintaining an adequate ventilation in a poultry house
  • Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production
  • Describe the effects that ammonia has on the health of poultry and the methods to control its formation in poultry houses 
    		•

    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
    Specific Outcome: All
  • Describe the effects that temperature extremes have on poultry
  • Understand the importance of maintaining an adequate ventilation in a poultry house
  • Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production
  • Describe the effects that ammonia has on the health of poultry and the methods to control its formation in poultry houses 
    		•

    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: All
  • Describe the effects that temperature extremes have on poultry
  • Understand the importance of maintaining an adequate ventilation in a poultry house
  • Understand the importance that photoperiods have in poultry production
  • Describe the effects that ammonia has on the health of poultry and the methods to control its formation in poultry houses 
    		•

    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  49580   General Education and Training Certificate: Poultry Production  Level 1  NQF Level 01  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. Calvin Projects Managements PTY LTD 
    3. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    4. Mvelo Consultant 
    5. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    6. SBJ Shadikamang Agriculture 
    7. Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Silver Falls Scientific 
    9. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    10. 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.