Farm Operatives - Chicken Sheds
17 days ago
Burnopfield
We are recruiting experienced and reliable Farm Operatives to support day‑to‑day poultry operations for a respected client within the agricultural sector. This role is hands-on, autonomous, and vital to maintaining high bird‑welfare and production standards. Key Responsibilities Daily Duties • Manage building security and key control, • Follow strict biosecurity, PPE, and food hygiene procedures, • Carry out daily flock management for a ~32,000-bird flock with minimal disturbance, • Inspect flock at least three times a day, monitoring bird health and welfare, • Check feed tracks, water drinkers, and automated shed monitoring systems, • Maintain accurate records (temperature, feed, water, egg counts, inspections) and analyse data to identify issues, • Collect stray/floor eggs and support ventilation monitoring, • Handle birds and remove deceased birds in line with animal‑welfare policy, • Operate, monitor, and maintain poultry‑house machinery (e.g., egg belts), • Clean spillages and complete end‑of‑day shed cleaning, • Pack and stack daily egg collections following quality standards, • Move packed eggs to storage with correct documentation, • Unload and organise packaging (2–3 times per week), • Ensure building is properly secured before leaving, • Complete any additional general farm duties as required Weekly Duties • Complete weekly records, analyse performance, and report issues, • Liaise with external muck‑removal contractors, monitor muck-belts, report mechanical faults, and clean spillages, • Complete additional biosecurity cleaning tasks (foot dips, disinfecting points, etc.), • Manage shed rodent stations, including poison checks, replacements, record‑keeping, and data analysis As Required • Replace flock enrichment items, • Weigh birds according to flock schedule, • Administer vaccinations/medication under direction of Production Manager, • Lay down litter/bedding and maintain dry areas, • Assist with housing new flocks, • Carry out routine house cleaning and manure removal, • Clean and maintain machinery used within poultry housing Full in-house training will be provided