Poultry Field Service Technician Agricultural Careers By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Asha Wise Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education March 2006

Duties & Responsibilities Check equipment, such as auto-feeders and the ventilation system, to make sure it is working properly Keep records on farms they inspect Inspect facilities for sanitation and efficiency Conduct tests on diseased or dead chickens Report needed changes to the farmer

Qualities and Skills Poultry field service technicians should be hardworking and self-motivated They should be practical and responsible with good organizational and decision-making skills Need to be able to handle animals with care and assurance, and they should have genuine concern for the health and welfare of the birds Marketing and computer skills are also helpful and mechanical skills can come in handy for fixing farm machinery

Salary Most poultry field service technicians are employed by a poultry processing company, with a starting salary around $27,000 There are some who are self-employed, and the amount of money they make depends on the price of poultry and the needs of the farmer Other poultry field technicians are employed by the USDA to help and maintain the poultry supply in the US and will receive a set monthly payment

Work Environment Spend most of their time on their service route farms working outdoors and inside the chicken houses There is local travel involved such as visiting service route farms and reporting to the local company office Work irregular hours, as the birds may need attention at any time, and there may be evening, early morning, weekend and holiday work

Education A bachelor’s degree in poultry science or a related agricultural discipline is not required, but is preferred for this position Training for this career is necessary and can be received in college or vocational schools; however, some math and English skills are important Courses in agriculture, particularly in the animal science and/or poultry science areas, are useful

Career Resources American Egg Board 1460 Renaissance Drive Park Ridge, Illinois Internet: U.S. Poultry and Egg Association 1530 Cooledge Road Tucker, GA Internet: Poultry Science Association Internet: National Chicken Council Internet: American Association of Avian Pathologists Internet: