Breeder Flock Supervisor

About the role

Flock Supervisor assists the Breeder Manager in maintaining a high-quality hatching egg supply for the company. The role is responsible for all aspects of rearing and growing pullets and cockerels from day of age to 65 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain good communication with Breeder Manager on field activities.
• Complete and submit all paperwork in a timely manner, including service reports, supply billing, vaccine billing, and MTech data.
• Perform NPIP and movement blood tests.
• Obtain samples for testing (e.g., feed, litter, swabs) according to the schedule set by the Breeder Manager.
• Perform on-farm necropsies as necessary and prescribe remedies in accordance with company policies and manufacturers’ guidelines.
• Submit birds to diagnostic lab for necropsy as needed, collaborating with the Breeder Manager on diagnosis, treatment, and preventative measures.
• Administer all water and spray vaccinations to flocks and observe outside vaccination crews to ensure quality of service.
• Be present at all flock placements, assist in placing pullets and cockerels in pullet houses, and perform day-of-delivery spray vaccination.
• Participate in male replacements.
• Weigh pullets and cockerels weekly and supervise weekly feed amounts to maintain adherence to feeding and body weight goals.
• Assist in all flock housings, ensuring correct house setup and proper movement from pullet to breeder house.
• Ensure effectiveness of cleaning and disinfecting of contracted premises.
• Observe pullet and hen house feedings routinely and schedule feed delivery for all pullets and breeders under supervision.
• Maintain service vehicle in a bio-secure manner.
• Take a proactive role in assuring a safe, quality product for the hatchery.
• Attend industry meetings as directed by the Breeder Manager.
• Practice good personal grooming and hygiene, wearing clothing appropriate for the position that promotes a positive company image.
• Promote good company/employee and grower relations using effective human relation techniques.
• Perform basic mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and compute rates, ratios, and percentages.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise and train employees to ensure they are fully capable of implementing the Company’s policies and procedures.
• Regularly meet with employees to evaluate their performance and establish yearly educational plans based on their needs.
• Perform annual personnel evaluations and recommend goals.
• Maintain good communication with contracted growers, providing feedback on performance, house and bird conditions, and adherence to production requirements.
• Visit growers weekly, at minimum, to supervise flock development and management of conditions.
• Manage all breeder house activities, including feed and weight management of males and females, egg pack, hatching egg quality assurance, and spiking movement.
• Evaluate situations independently and make sound decisions regarding contracted growers while keeping the Breeder Manager informed on relevant matters.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university; or one to two years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to speak, read, and interpret English, including safety rules, instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and present information effectively in one-on-one and small group settings.