A successful poultry business is backed by knowledge of various aspects of poultry production. So, if you’re passionate about poultry, whether as a hobbyist or commercial farmer, this course is ideal for you!
Certificate of Poultry is a professional development course that covers all aspects of this agro-business, from breeding to marketing.
In this poultry course, you will learn about poultry breeds, feed requirements, pest and disease control and management of poultry as layers and broilers. You will also learn about poultry incubation, brooding and strategies for business management, including record-keeping, economics and marketing.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of poultry care and business management.
Course Structure
Unit - Poultry
Unit 1 – Introduction, Terminology and Breeds
- The scope and nature of domestic poultry keeping
- Poultry terms
- Contract growing
- Regulations
- Management factors
- Small scale production
- Poultry breeds
- What constitutes poultry?
- What is a bantam?
- Classifying fowls
- Light breeds
- Some light breeds
- Dual purpose breeds
- Some dual purpose breeds
- Heavy or table birds
- More breeds
- Cross-breed poultry
- The advantages of crossbreds or hybrids are:
- Sex linkage
- Incubation and rearing
- Poultry husbandry
- Selection of stock
- Feeding and watering
- Housing and shelter
- Health
- Selection of stock
- Feeding, watering, housing and shelter, health
- Turkeys
- Geese
- Ducks
- Skeletal system
Unit 2 – Nutrition
- The digestive tract
- Gullet, crop, proventriculus
- Gizzard (or ventriculus)
- Intestine
- Caecum
- Rectum, cloaca and vent
- Sources of nutrients
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Minerals
- Rationing for poultry
- Palatability
- The end product
- Rations
- Poultry and modern feed requirements
- Phase feeding
- Consumption feeding
Unit 3 – Diseases in Poultry
- Health care of domesticated poultry
- Viral diseases
- Newcastle disease (NCD)
- Avian pneumovirus or metapneumovirus
- Fowl pox
- Infectious bronchitis (IB)
- Avian influenza
- New and emerging viral diseases in poultry
- Bacterial diseases
- Bacillary white diarrhoea (BWD)
- Fowl typhoid
- Paratyphoid
- Yolk sac infection
- Escherichia coli infection
- Mycoplasmosis, fungi and protozoan diseases
- Chronic respiratory disease (CRD)
- Infectious synovitis
- Fungi
- Mycosis
- Mycotoxicosis
- Protozoan diseases
- Coccidiosis
- Non-infectious diseases
- Hereditary diseases
- Vices
- Vitamin and mineral deficiency
- Internal and external parasites
Unit 4 – Layers
- The extensive system
- Housing
- Management
- Egg collection
- Disease management
- Establishment costs and productive efficiency
- The semi-intensive system
- Housing
- Management and egg collection
- Disease management
- Establishment costs and productive efficiency
- The intensive system
- Housing
- Management
- Egg collection
- Disease management
- Establishment costs and productive efficiency
- Comparison of production systems
- Housing
- Nest boxes
- Drinker systems
- Feeders
- Battery units
- Size of cages
- Collecting eggs
- Feeding the laying hen
- Replacing the flock
Unit 5 – Broilers
- Broilers management
- The brooding period
- Feeding broilers
- Feeding during the starter period
- Weekly food consumption of broilers
- Housing
- Hygiene and health
Unit 6 – Incubation
- Natural incubation
- Selecting a broody hen
- Symptoms of a broody hen
- Artificial incubation
- Selection of eggs for incubation
- Storage of hatching eggs
- Turning eggs
- Management of the incubator
- Temperature
- Low temperatures
- High temperatures
- Humidity
- Turning
- Testing
- What’s in an egg?
- Hatching
- Reasons for poor hatchability
Unit 7 – Brooding
- Heating
- The canopy brooder
- Infra-red lamps
- Chicks that are too cold
- Chicks that are too hot
- Ventilation
- Battery brooder
- Haybox brooder
- Feeders
- Drinkers
- Floor space
- Rearing
- Broilers
- Layers
- Time of rearing
- Schedule for providing light to layers
- Problems during rearing
- Cannibalism
Unit 8 – Record-Keeping, Economics and Marketing
- Records
- Growth records
- Flock or house number
- Hatching date
- Number of chickens
- Mortality
- Temperature
- Feed consumption
- Inoculation
- Body mass at sexual maturity
- Incidental expenses
- Income
- Egg production
- Mortality
- Feed consumption
- Egg mass and grading
- Incidental expenses
- Income
- A small-scale poultry business
- Compatible ventures
- Manure
- Spent hens
- Preparing a farm business plan
- Towards better planning
- A way of thinking
- Finance
- Examples of information to be collected and analysed
- Examples of where decisions which might need to be made
- Example structure for a financial plan
- Financial objectives
- Financial forecasts & assumptions (educated guesses)
- Financial analysis
- Budget plan
- Example for developing a financial budget
- Land care or land management
- Examples of information to be collected & analysed
- Examples of decisions which might need to be made
- Marketing
- Analyse the marketplace and the industry
- Be aware of your own property
- Be aware of your industry
- Be aware of wider global developments.
- Examples of information to be collected and analysed
- Examples of decisions which you might need to make
- Example structure for a marketing plan
- Marketing objectives
- Market analysis
- Sales predictions
- Develop strategies
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
I have gained a comprehensive understanding of poultry through this course to apply to my current role.
Elisha | Geelong, VIC | Certificate of Poultry
As someone who has a hobby farm with chickens and turkey, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about them and also testing what I have learned while owning them.
Melissa | Perth, WA | Certificate of Poultry
Was a great experience, I love being able to complete the course at my own pace. Would recommend Australian Online Courses to everyone wanting to study online.
Monique | Bickley, WA | Certificate in Poultry
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Commercial/Urban Farmers
- Farm Staff
- Breeders
- Hobbyists
- Permaculturists
- Veterinary Assistants
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