Formulator

Technical department assistant. Conduct Broiler and Layer Rearing research trials.Data analysis.Scientific reports.Technical administration (custom mix requests, Act 36 product registration, bag labels) Data monitoring and graphs of NIR and external lab results.First aider.

• Management of staff that worked in the Animal and Poultry Sections of Ukulinga Research Farm, Pietermaritzburg. • Management of livestock (broilers, layers, broiler breeders, pigs, sheep, goats, miniature horses and fistulated sheep and cattle) during research trials conducted by students and local and international Researchers. • Assisted in trial planning and costing. Prepared trial facilities, procured animal feeds, medications, feed raw ingredients, livestock etc. and prepared trial feeds in the feed mixing plant.• Monitored trial facilities during trials, ensuring that the animals had access to clean water and feed at all times, were kept in the correct environmental conditions (set temperature, lighting and ventilation controllers) and looked out for signs of stress or disease.• Ensured that the animals and poultry were vaccinated and treated for internal and external parasites and diseases when needed. Took blood and fecal samples to monitor health status or for research purposes. Arranged for the sheep to be sheared.• Assisted in weighing trial animals and feeds. Assisted in processing of animal and chicken carcasses for trial data (portioning, weighing, mincing and collecting samples for lab analysis).• Facilitated student practicals and visits of members of the public or school groups. • Managed the sale of eggs and chickens. Kept record of all livestock and made sure that dead animals were disposed of in the correct manner.• Health and Safety committee member and First Aider for the Animal and Poultry Science sections. • Reported all maintenance requirements to the facilities management section and followed up on the requests to make sure that trials were not compromised.• Arranged for scales and other equipment to be serviced regularly.• Made sure that all trials that were conducted were in line with the ethics approval applications. for those trials. • Maintained strict biosecurity in certain sections.

Receiving, grading, storing and arranging transport of broiler hatching eggs. Providing feedback to the laying farm managers on hatching egg quality, as needed. Forecasting hatchability and allocating the correct eggs to customers. Setting eggs according to required chick numbers. Monitoring the condition of the machines and equipment. Assist during chick take-off, sexing and vaccination. Doing egg breakouts of fresh eggs and hatch debris. Hygiene monitoring of machines, areas and equipment. Dealing with customers and representatives of potential or existing suppliers of goods. Capturing production data and generating weekly graphs and reports. Health and Safety committee member. Management of staff and dealing with staff-related matters such as illness, grievances and disciplinary procedures. Assisting the Hatchery manager wherever it may be required.