Poultry Care Attendant I

Kreher Family Farms/ Kreher's Farm Fresh Eggs; Town of Clarence (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Kreher Farms is seeking an entry-level Poultry Care Attendant I to learn and apply proper methods for caring for pullets and laying hens in a cage system under supervision. The role includes learning bird moves, feeding, barn housekeeping, and monitoring overall bird well-being.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED, with preferred associate degree in poultry or animal science and some animal husbandry experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science or related field preferred.
• Animal husbandry experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily care of the hens, including drinkers, feed, heat and humidity checks.
• Follow safe bird handling techniques.
• Remove mortality and transport to disposal areas.
• Maintain mortality and chore records.
• Report feed outages and repairs to supervisor.
• Assist with moving birds and other duties as needed.

Skills

Animal care basics

Initiative

Flexibility in schedule

Independent work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree in Poultry Science/Animal Science

Job description

The Poultry Care Attendant l is an entry level position whose primary responsibility is to learn the proper methods for caring for the pullets and/or laying hens in a cage system under supervision, using prescribed procedures. This includes learning and assisting with bird moves, feeding, housekeeping of the barns, and overseeing the general well-being of the birds.

JOB RESPONSIBILTIES

Additional duties may be assigned as business needs require.

Strategic and tactical work for which this position is accountable:

It is the responsibility of the Poultry Care Attendant to become familiar with Kreher’s pre-established poultry care procedures and guidelines, and while working in a supervised manner, to:

• Assist with daily care of the hens. Daily care includes maintaining drinkers and feed augers, checking lights, maintaining proper heat and humidity, and unclogging egg back-ups when necessary.
• Follow proper safe bird handling techniques when working with the hens.
• Quickly and humanely remove mortality from cages and transport them to designated disposal areas, including the mortality trailer.
• Maintain all records for mortality and chore checks. Keep required paperwork up-to-date.
• Report feed outages to supervisor or feed mill manager, and note any repairs necessary to feed moving equipment.
• Assist with moving birds when necessary.
• Contacts supervisor for assistance with AEI/PMSI/Pulse and repair and maintenance needs.
• Assist in other jobs as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Capabilities and traits essential to perform satisfactorily

• General knowledge of animal care standards.
• High degree of initiative.
• Able to perform job duties somewhat independently.
• Ability to be flexible with working schedule - employees may need to work longer or shorter hours to meet operational needs, as determined by leadership

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate’s degree in Poultry Science, Animal Science or related field is preferred.
• Animal husbandry experience is a plus.

Job Summary

The Poultry Care Attendant l is an entry level position whose primary responsibility is to learn the proper methods for caring for the pullets and/or laying hens in a cage system under supervision, using prescribed procedures. This includes learning and assisting with bird moves, feeding, housekeeping of the barns, and overseeing the general well-being of the birds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is physically active and requires regular movement throughout agricultural production and operational areas, including animal facilities, processing areas, crop fields, warehouses, shops, and other farm operation areas.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will:

• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, squat, climb, and work in a variety of positions for extended periods.
• Move throughout the workplace and farm property as needed.
• See, talk, and hear.
• Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull materials, tools, equipment, or products weighing up to 50 pounds, with occasional heavier loads as required by the job.
• May work at varying heights, climb ladders or equipment, and navigate uneven, wet, muddy, or slippery terrain.
• May drive or ride in farm equipment/vehicle for multiple hours at a time.
• Use fine motor coordination and manual dexterity to handle tools, equipment, materials, and other items necessary to complete assigned tasks.

Work is performed in indoor and outdoor farm environments and may require exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and humidity. The employee may also be exposed to dust, dirt, manure, noise, odors, agricultural chemicals, machinery, vehicles, animals, and other typical farm conditions. Biosecurity measures must be followed, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when required.

The employee must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES NECESSARY FOR POULTRY CARE ATTENDANT II

• Able to work under limited supervision
• Pays attention to details, and is gaining the ability to ‘sense’ the birds’ conditions (smells, sounds, etc.)
• Is highly skilled in checking out
• Able to cull birds
• Shows a desire to learn more about bird behavior
• Shows leadership when working around others with less leadership skills
• Takes initiative to learn more and take on more responsibility
• Always looking to find ways to do more
• Is gaining the ability and desire to be a very effective trainer
• Has outstanding attendance and reliability

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

Kreher Farms (“KFF”) is an equal opportunity employer. Kreher Farms prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment and pregnancy), national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, disability, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, creed, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), reproductive health decision making, military status, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or conviction records, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law.