Description
Select and breed birds based on species biology, pedigree, and desired traits for conservation, exhibition, or production. Requires knowledge of avian husbandry, incubation and hand-rearing, and, when used, artificial insemination techniques and equipment. Maintain detailed records on breeding cycles, clutch and hatch intervals, health, and pedigree.
- • Feed and water birds, and clean and disinfect aviaries, cages, perches, and nest boxes.
- • Examine birds to detect signs of illness, stress, or injury.
- • Administer vaccinations and preventive treatments via water, spray, or injection as appropriate.
- • Select breeding pairs or semen based on pedigrees, genetic diversity, and desired traits.
- • Treat minor avian injuries and ailments; coordinate with avian veterinarians for serious cases.
- • Monitor courtship, nesting, egg laying, and reproductive cycles; adjust lighting, diet, and enrichment to stimulate breeding.
- • Record weights, growth, molt cycles, diets, fertility, clutch sizes, and hatch rates.
- • Exhibit birds at shows or support conservation breeding and outreach events.
- • Build or maintain aviaries, flight cages, perches, nest boxes, brooders, and incubator setups.
- • Trim nails and beaks and clip wings when appropriate and humane.
- • Collect, package, and label avian semen; record date, source, quality, and concentration.
- • Maintain detailed logs of pairings, AI procedures, clutches, hatchings, and pedigrees.
- • Arrange sales or placements of birds, chicks, and eggs to zoos, conservation programs, breeders, research centers, and the pet trade.
- • Measure specified amounts of semen into sterile pipettes or syringes for insemination.
- • Perform artificial insemination by depositing semen into the hen’s oviduct via the cloaca.
- • Adjust incubators, brooders, and environmental controls to maintain species-specific temperature and humidity.
- • Evaluate avian semen microscopically for motility and concentration; prepare extenders and dilutions per protocol.
- • Band, microchip, or tag birds for identification and record-keeping.
- • Purchase and stock feed, supplements, enrichment materials, and medicines.
- • Provide bathing or misting opportunities and groom birds as needed.
- • Provide flight time and enrichment to maintain bird health and behavior.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
