Farm Assistant

Responsibilities:
Egg Handling:

• Receive, inspect, and count hatching eggs.
• Sort eggs by breed, flock, and collection date.
• Remove cracked, dirty, or abnormal eggs.
• Store eggs under proper temperature and humidity conditions.
• Load eggs into incubator trays according to hatch schedules.

Incubation Operations:

• Set eggs into incubators according to production plans.
• Monitor incubator temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning systems.
• Record incubation data and report abnormalities.
• Candle eggs to identify infertile eggs and early embryo mortality.
• Transfer eggs from setters to hatchers at the appropriate incubation stage.

Chick Processing:

• Remove newly hatched chicks from hatch baskets.
• Sort healthy chicks from weak or deformed chicks.
• Count, grade, and package chicks accurately.
• Administer vaccinations where applicable.
• Prepare chicks for transportation or brooding.

Equipment Operation:

• Operate incubators, hatchers, chick counters, vaccination equipment, and washing machines.
• Perform routine equipment inspections.
• Report equipment faults immediately.
• Assist with minor maintenance tasks.

Cleaning and Biosecurity:

• Clean and disinfect incubators, hatchers, trays, baskets, and work areas.
• Dispose of eggshells, infertile eggs, and hatch waste safely.
• Follow strict biosecurity procedures.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Prevent cross-contamination between hatch cycles.

Animal Welfare:

• Handle chicks gently and humanely.
• Ensure chicks have minimal stress during processing.
• Report any disease symptoms or unusual mortality.
• Comply with animal welfare regulations and company policies.

Record Keeping:

• Maintain hatchery production records.
• Record: Number of eggs received. Eggs set, Fertility rates, Hatchability percentages, Chick numbers, Mortality figures, Equipment readings
• Submit daily reports to the Hatchery Supervisor.

Health and Safety:

• Follow workplace health and safety procedures.
• Maintain a clean and hazard-free work environment.
• Safely use cleaning chemicals and disinfectants.
• Participate in emergency response procedures.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a OND
• 2 years of previous experience in a similar role