Description
Attend to poultry on farms or in hatcheries, such as chickens, turkeys, or ducks, raised for meat and eggs. Tasks include feeding and watering; monitoring bird health and house conditions; collecting, candling, grading, and packing eggs; catching and loading birds; weighing and segregating flocks; and assisting with vaccinations or treatments. Maintain records, follow biosecurity, and clean and disinfect houses, equipment, and nest areas; assist with chick placement and brooding.
- • Feed and water poultry; monitor feed bins, drinkers, and lines.
- • Operate augers, feeders, and house equipment to distribute feed and water.
- • Observe birds to detect illness, injury, or stress; record mortality and culls.
- • Administer vaccines or medications via water, feed, or spray as directed; notify supervisors of health issues.
- • Mix feed additives, electrolytes, or medications in prescribed amounts.
- • Inspect, maintain, and repair drinker lines, feeders, brooders, fans, heaters, and curtains.
- • Move birds between pens or houses; catch and crate birds for transport or processing.
- • Clean and disinfect houses, nests, equipment, and egg rooms; remove litter and manure.
- • Collect, candle, grade, and pack eggs; maintain egg room sanitation and temperatures.
- • Maintain proper ventilation, temperature, humidity, and lighting per flock stage.
- • Adjust stocking density or penning so birds have adequate access to feed and water.
- • Order feed and supplies and arrange deliveries as directed.
- • Assist with breeder reproduction tasks, such as artificial insemination and nest management.
- • Receive and place chicks or poults; set up brooders and ensure early feed and water access.
- • Segregate birds by age, weight, sex, or health status.
- • Maintain biosecurity protocols; manage pests and secure houses against predators.
- • Keep growth, feed conversion, flock health, egg production, and cost records.
- • Trim beaks, wings, toes, or spurs as directed; perform humane culling when required.
- • Apply disinfectants and insecticides; service rodent bait stations and fly control devices.
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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
