Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the process of calculating rations based on animal species needs and availability of feedstuffs. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
The unit is applicable to those working in the animal care industry where it may be necessary to plan nutritional requirements for animals in various animal care sectors, including but not restricted to, companion animals in pet shops, boarding kennels and catteries, dog and cat breeding establishments, research technology animals, native and exotic animals in zoos, wildlife parks and animal rescue and rehabilitation facilities. In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Identify nutritional requirements of animals |
1.1. Animals are classified according to natural nutrient sources and types of digestive systems. 1.2. Normal feeding behaviours and nutritional requirements of a range of animals in the animal care workplace are aligned with natural diet and controlled environment animal requirements. 1.3. Feeding strategies and methods to maximise activity and behavioural enrichment are evaluated. 1.4. Characteristics of under or over supply of nutrients are identified and methods used to monitor nutritional uptake are evaluated and practised. |
2. Evaluate food sources and calculate dietary requirements |
2.1. Foodstuffs are classified according to nutrient content. 2.2. Foodstuffs are evaluated for shelf life, preparation requirements, availability and cost. 2.3. Hazards to animal and human health from food sources are identified and methods used to manage potential risks are implemented. 2.4. Feed weight and water requirements are estimated based on animal profiles . 2.5. Protein, carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral supplement and fibre needs are estimated based on animal profiles. 2.6. Other dietary issues relevant to the animal's profile are identified and factored into dietary calculations. 2.7. Diet plans are prepared and documented after supervisor approval. |
3. Prepare diets and provide food and water |
3.1. Food is prepared in accordance with diet plan and stored safely and hygienically 3.2. Food and water is presented in accordance to different species requirements and in compliance with organisation policy and procedures. |
4. Monitor feeding and watering practices |
4.1. Food and water consumption is monitored and recorded in accordance with organisation policy and procedures. 4.2. Abnormal feed intake or feeding behaviour are identified and reported in accordance with organisation policy and procedures. 4.3. Animals are monitored for condition, metabolic and behavioural changes. 4.4. Reasons for poor response to diet are evaluated and specialist advice sought as required. 4.5. Required dietary changes are determined in consultation with supervisor and / or others. 4.6. Dietary variations are documented and records updated as required. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
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Required knowledge |
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
The skills and knowledge required to plan for and provide nutritional requirements for animals must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care industry sector workplace in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels and catteries, aviaries, companion animal training, grooming establishments, animal shelters, zoos, wildlife parks, mobile animal facilities and animal technology facilities. There must be access in either situation to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must be relevant to the industry sector in which candidates are working andmust cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups OR at least three breeds from within one of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates. |
Method of assessment |
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and over a number of assessment activities. The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role. |
Guidance information for assessment |
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds). |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Nutritional requirements may include: |
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Animals may include: |
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Nutrient sources may include: |
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Feeding strategies and methods may include: |
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Methods used to monitor nutritional uptake may include: |
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Hazards to animal and human health from food sources may include: |
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Animal profiles may include: |
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Species requirements may include: |
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Abnormal feed intake or feeding behaviour may include: |
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Reasons for poor response to diet may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Animal studies |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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