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Poultry farm assistant

A poultry farm assistant helps the poultry farm management team with daily operations.

Also known as poultry assistant, farm assistant, poultry worker, farm worker (poultry), stockman or stockperson.

This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.

As a poultry farm assistant, you’ll have lots of tasks to complete. This role gives you lots of hands-on experience and is a good first step into an exciting career in the industry.

There are different types of farm systems in the poultry industry. Eggs are produced in free-range, barn or laying cage systems. Birds can also be reared indoors or outdoors for meat production.

A poultry farm assistant helps ensure the birds are kept according to high standards of health and welfare. You’ll keep them healthy and meet their needs so the farm can reach its production targets and minimise its impact on the environment.

You’ll help the management team and report to a supervisor, such as a farm manager (poultry). You’ll be working in a team, but you’ll also need to work independently.

Depending on the size of the business, working hours can vary. You might need to work shifts or at weekends.

Full-time and part-time opportunities are available.

You may need your own transport to get to work.

As a poultry farm assistant, your responsibilities might include:

General bird care including checking temperature, humidity, litter quality, access to feed and water
Daily checking of birds to see if they are fit and healthy
Reporting any concerns to the supervisor/manager
Helping rear birds to the farm specifications
Following company procedures to ensure good levels of biosecurity
Following and meeting health and safety rules
Making sure personal protective equipment is kept clean and in good condition
Maintaining good environmental standards
Helping manage the temperature control, lighting and watering system for indoor birds
Helping with egg collection, grading, sorting and packing if working on a layer farm
Using machinery and equipment safely
Completing and keeping accurate records

To work as a poultry farm assistant, you should:

Have good attention to detail
Be able to follow guidance and work independently
Enjoy practical, hands-on work
Enjoy working on many varied tasks
Be able to keep calm when working to deadlines
Be keen interest in poultry and looking after birds
Be reliable, with a flexible approach to work

To be a poultry farm assistant, you do not necessarily need a formal qualification. However, you’ll need to be trained to a minimum standard set by the British Poultry Training Initiative.

Your employer will provide the training, which should cover biosecurity, health and safety, using personal protective equipment and other areas of your role.

You can also choose to study further for a better understanding of agri-food industry. Take a look at the Qualifications and Training Section.

There are many jobs and opportunities to progress in the UK poultry industry. You can also get experience by volunteering on a farm or smallholding, a local city farm, community garden, or allotment. To find one in your area go to the Social Farms and Gardens website.

Reading farming newspapers, magazines and websites will also develop your knowledge and understanding.

As a poultry farm assistant, you’ll have competencies in many poultry farm tasks, working to high welfare standards.

You will:

Follow farm hygiene rules to reduce the risk of disease
Follow farm rules for looking after birds and the environment
Meet relevant health and safety standards
Meet high poultry health and welfare standards
Help meet high bird husbandry standards
Follow guidance and plans to achieve production targets
Use the appropriate technology, machinery and equipment safely

Download our Poultry farm assistant competency profile to find out more about these competencies and how they map with our Capability Framework.

Salaries are in the region of £17,000 to £23,000 depending on experience and location, or £9.50 to £12 per hour for casual work.

If you decide to progress in your career, there are other opportunities available. Once you’ve gained enough experience and training, you could move up to a supervisor level, such as an poultry farm manager or team leader.