Assist in catching poultry
This element focuses on the fundamental practical skills required to safely and humanely assist in catching and crating poultry under supervision. Learners will develop an understanding of low-stress handling methods, the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the importance of teamwork and biosecurity in poultry operations. The knowledge and skills gained are directly applicable to entry-level roles in agriculture, food production, and animal care.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The City & Guilds Entry Level Award in Skills for Working Life (Entry 2) is a foundational qualification designed to help learners develop the essential skills needed to enter the workplace. This award focuses on building confidence, communication, and practical abilities that are directly applicable to real-world employment. It covers key areas such as following instructions, working with others, and understanding basic health and safety, making it ideal for students who are preparing for their first job or work experience.
This qualification is part of the Employability & Work Skills suite, which aims to bridge the gap between education and employment. By completing this award, students demonstrate that they can carry out simple tasks under supervision, respond to feedback, and show reliability. It is particularly valuable for learners with additional support needs, as it provides a structured pathway to develop independence and workplace readiness.
The award is assessed through practical tasks and observations, meaning students must actively demonstrate their skills rather than just recalling theory. This hands-on approach ensures that learners can apply what they have learned in a real or simulated work environment. Topics include personal presentation, timekeeping, and teamwork, all of which are crucial for success in any job role.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Following instructions: Understanding and carrying out simple verbal or written instructions accurately, with minimal prompting.
- →Teamwork: Working cooperatively with others, sharing tasks, and respecting different roles within a group.
- →Health and safety: Identifying common hazards in the workplace and following basic safety procedures, such as reporting accidents.
- →Personal presentation: Dressing appropriately for work, maintaining hygiene, and demonstrating a positive attitude.
- →Timekeeping: Arriving on time, managing breaks, and completing tasks within given timeframes.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Award credit for demonstrating correct catching technique by securing the bird's legs gently but firmly, avoiding excessive pressure that could cause injury.
- Award credit for consistently wearing appropriate PPE (e.g., gloves, overalls, safety boots) and following biosecurity protocols before and after handling.
- Award credit for working effectively with an assistant or team to transfer birds into crates calmly, minimizing noise and sudden movements to reduce stress.
- Award credit for demonstrating correct manual handling techniques when catching birds, ensuring minimal distress, with clear evidence of following instructions from a supervisor.
- Award credit for safely crating a bird with assistance, checking that the crate is secure and the bird is calm, as recorded in an observation or supported by photographic evidence.
- Award credit for consistently adhering to health and safety guidelines, such as wearing appropriate PPE and maintaining biosecurity measures, while completing the task.
- Award credit for demonstrating appropriate handling techniques that do not cause distress or injury to the bird.
- Evidence of clear communication with the supervisor throughout the task, including confirming instructions and reporting any issues.
- Following correct crating procedures, such as placing birds gently and securing crates properly to prevent escape or injury.
- Adhering to personal hygiene and biosecurity protocols, such as wearing appropriate protective clothing and washing hands.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡During practical assessment, narrate your actions to the assessor, explaining why you are using a particular handling method and how it ensures bird welfare.
- 💡Always check the crate's integrity (no sharp edges, secure latches) and confirm the correct number of birds per crate before sealing, as this is a key safety point.
- 💡Always work under direct supervision and seek verbal confirmation before attempting to catch a bird; this demonstrates awareness of your limits and ensures safety.
- 💡Document each step with clear evidence, such as signed witness statements or time-stamped photographs, showing the correct technique and the condition of the bird before and after crating.
- 💡Always prioritise bird welfare by using slow, calm movements and handling birds with confidence but gentleness.
- 💡Verbally confirm each step with your supervisor to demonstrate understanding and safe practice.
- 💡Practice holding a bird securely with one hand, supporting its body against yours, to keep a hand free for crating.
- 💡Familiarise yourself with the specific crates and their locking mechanisms before starting the task.
- 💡During observations, show that you can listen carefully and ask for help if needed. Assessors look for your ability to follow instructions without constant reminders.
- 💡Demonstrate good timekeeping by arriving early and starting tasks promptly. Even small delays can affect the whole team, so plan your time wisely.
- 💡In teamwork tasks, communicate clearly with your group. Use simple phrases like 'Can you help me with this?' or 'I'll do this part' to show you can collaborate.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Grasping birds by the wings or neck rather than the legs, which can lead to dislocation or damage, and is a common error among novices.
- Overcrowding crates beyond recommended capacities, causing injuries, suffocation, or heat stress, often due to rushing or lack of awareness.
- Failing to clean and disinfect boots and equipment between flocks, risking cross-contamination and breach of biosecurity.
- Learners often rush, causing unnecessary stress to the birds by making loud noises or sudden movements, leading to potential injury or escaping birds.
- Incorrect holding of the bird, such as gripping too tightly or by a single wing, which can cause physical harm rather than using a gentle, whole-body support hold.
- Grabbing birds by the wings or legs, which can cause serious injury or stress.
- Moving too fast or making loud noises, leading to panic in the flock and increased risk of injury to both birds and handler.
- Not verifying crates are secure, resulting in birds escaping during transport.
- Overlooking the importance of washing hands or changing gloves between different groups of birds, risking disease transmission.
- Misconception: 'Health and safety is just common sense, so I don't need to learn it.' Correction: While some aspects are intuitive, specific rules (e.g., fire evacuation procedures, COSHH symbols) must be learned to ensure safety in different workplaces.
- Misconception: 'Teamwork means everyone does the same thing.' Correction: Effective teamwork involves dividing tasks based on strengths and supporting each other, not just duplicating efforts.
- Misconception: 'Following instructions means I can't ask questions.' Correction: It's okay to ask for clarification if you're unsure; this shows you are engaged and want to get it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for CITY & GUILDS LIMITED Assist in catching poultry
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic communication skills: Ability to understand and respond to simple questions and instructions.
- •Numeracy at Entry 1 level: Basic counting and time recognition (e.g., reading a clock) to manage tasks.
- •No formal qualifications required, but learners should be comfortable working in a group setting.
Coursework AI Review
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Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
- Be able to catch and crate birds with assistance
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