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: 

Maintain the health of poultry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119431  Maintain the health 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 1  NQF Level 01  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 observe the behavioral changes and signs of illness in poultry and the reporting procedures to follow 

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 conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Stale feed, inaccessible feeders, inaccessible water fonts/nipples, lights, noise, dust in air, wet litter, high humidity in air, temperature extremes, high ammonia levels, poor sanitation, over-crowding, inadequate feeder space. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Feed refusal as a disease-causing condition is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Maintenance of body systems impaired, lack of energy, medicated feed not taken in.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The lack of water as a disease-causing condition is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Signs of dehydration, drop in feed intake, droppings dry or no excretion.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The lack of sufficient light as a disease-causing condition is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Unable to find feed and water during brooding, time switches not working.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The conditions of the air within the poultry house, that may result in the onset of a disease are detailed. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
High ammonia levels, high dust levels, cold draughts, extreme heat, lack of ventilation.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Diarrhoea, blue combs, sneezing, extreme chattering, blood in droppings, snicking, gasping, lameness, feed in troughs not eaten, droppings absent with only urine or dry. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The various types of abnormal behaviour that are associated with diseased poultry are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The change in feed and water consumption as an indication of a disease is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The abnormal consistency and colour of excreta as an indication of a disease is explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The various changes in egg shell quality as an indication of a disease is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Shell colour, increases in soft shells, banded eggs.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The inspection for the presence of parasites on birds is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Red mite, handling of adult poultry.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The behavior of poultry when infected with external parasites is described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Pecking at own feathers, frequent preening behavior, accumulation of mites around cloaca.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The aim of vaccination is explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Administration of disease-causing organisms in attenuated form, uptake by mucous membranes or injected, antibody development, recognition and destruction of the disease-causing organism, control only to a specific disease.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The various methods of administering vaccines to poultry are detailed. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Spray, injection, drinking water, eye drops.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The correct handling of birds when blood sampling is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Preventing dislocation of wings and legs.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The reasons why blood sampling is conducted are explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Measurement of antibody levels, immune status against vaccinated diseases.
 


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 
  • 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: All
  • Describe the conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease
  • Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related
  • Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry
  • Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases 
    		•

    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;
    Specific Outcome: All
  • Describe the conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease
  • Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related
  • Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry
  • Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation
    Specific Outcome: All
  • Describe the conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease
  • Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related
  • Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry
  • Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases 
    		•

    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 conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease
  • Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related
  • Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry
  • Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases 
    		•

    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 conditions of "dis-ease" which may result in the onset of disease
  • Observe any change in the bird's habits and the abnormal appearance of egg shells that could be disease related
  • Demonstrate the identification of the presence of parasites on poultry
  • Understand the purpose of vaccination and how it helps to control diseases 
    		•

    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. Hutima Trading Enterprise 
    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.