Responsible for the day-to-day husbandry, feeding, watering, health monitoring, and general sanitation of chickens in a commercial, pastured, or layer-operation environment.
- Experience: Often 0-1 year of prior agricultural or manual labor experience; on-the-job training is typically provided.
- Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and work in dusty, humid, or variable weather environments for extended shifts.
- Lifting Ability: Frequently lift and carry feed bags, equipment, or supplies weighing 35 to 50 lbs or more.
- Flock Care & Feeding: Ensure chickens have continuous access to fresh feed and clean water through automatic or manual systems.
- Health & Mortality Checks: Walk through chicken houses daily to inspect birds, identify sick or injured animals, and remove deceased birds (mortality pick-up)
- Egg Collection (Layer Farms): Collect, wash, sort, and pack eggs into cartons as applicable.
- Sanitation & Biosecurity: Clean and disinfect coops, drinkers, feeders, and changing litter; strictly adhere to farm biosecurity standards to prevent disease transmission.
- Environment & Climate Control: Monitor and adjust house ventilation, heating, lighting, and temperature for optimal bird comfort and growth.
- Maintenance & Repairs: Perform routine maintenance on chicken houses, fences, field shelters, and automatic watering or feeding equipment.
- Record Keeping: Track daily feed consumption, mortality rates, and egg production numbers.