Poultry Industry Field Work

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Approximately 320 hours.

Admission to the Master of Avian Health and Medicine, or approval of the subject coordinator.

None

Current and practical experience working in the poultry industry

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This 16-week subject aims to consolidate your understanding of poultry husbandry and management. All aspects of production are reviewed from production in breeder, meat and egg farms to hatchery management, incubation of fertile eggs, water quality issues, poultry nutrition, avian genetics and production in hot climates.

This subject involves a combination of reading articles, spreadsheet exercises and online quizzes. Students not already working in a poultry production setting will be recommended to enter into a mentorship program with an experienced local poultry veterinarian and spend some time on a farm or hatchery to build understanding of the processes and procedures involved in production.

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• Develop a sound understanding of the husbandry and management processes, particularly in housing environments, nutrition and breeding, which are undertaken for production of avian species in poultry industries,
• Commence developing insight into how production decisions can interact closely with health status, and
• Increase awareness of issues facing the poultry industry, such as animal welfare and environmental protection.

Assessment is carried out at the end of each month. Student progress is monitored through class exercises and case studies. The final examination is a three-hour written and on-line exam held in weeks 16 and 17.

Students will be required to arrange an appropriate venue (e.g. a nearby university) to sit this assessment under supervised examination conditions.

The breakdown of assessment is:

• Monthly Assessment Tests (MATS) (15% of the final mark)
• The Final Examination (85% of the final mark)

Students will be provided with excerpts that are required reading.

Pattison, M. The Health of Poultry, (1993). Longman Scientific and Technical, UK.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students should:

• Possess medium to high-level computing skills;
• Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification and resolution of problems;
• Communicate effectively; and
• Have good time management skills.

Reliable internet access with at least a medium speed connection and a personal computer are essential for undertaking the Avian Health Online program. The content is accessed through your web browser. Microsoft Office™ and Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent software packages are necessary for assessment tasks, assignments and some class exercises.