Poultry Farmer Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In the rapidly evolving agricultural sector, the focus on poultry farmers is more critical than ever.

As food production advances, the need for skilled individuals who can manage, enhance, and protect our poultry farming systems increases.

But let’s dig deeper: What’s genuinely expected from a poultry farmer?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core responsibilities of this role,
• A hiring manager designing the perfect candidate profile,
• Or simply intrigued by the dynamics of poultry farming,

You’re in the right place.

Today, we introduce a customizable poultry farmer job description template, designed for easy posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right into it.

Poultry Farmer Duties and Responsibilities

Poultry Farmers manage the daily operations of a poultry farm, including the care and feeding of the birds, overseeing egg production, and ensuring the general welfare of the birds.

Their duties and responsibilities include:

• Feeding poultry and providing them with necessary water supplies
• Regularly monitoring poultry health, including disease detection and management
• Administering vaccinations and medications as required
• Ensuring a clean, safe and comfortable living environment for the birds
• Managing egg collection, cleaning, and packaging for sale
• Overseeing breeding programs and chick incubation
• Managing the culling and disposal of birds, following appropriate welfare standards
• Coordinating the sale and dispatch of poultry and eggs
• Maintaining records of poultry health, growth, and egg production
• Ordering and managing supplies, including feed and medical supplies
• Ensuring compliance with animal welfare laws and regulations
• Maintaining and repairing farm buildings and machinery
• Implementing and updating biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread

 

Poultry Farmer Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a dedicated Poultry Farmer to oversee our poultry farming operations.

The Poultry Farmer will be responsible for managing poultry houses, ensuring optimal bird health and welfare, maintaining equipment, and keeping accurate records.

The ideal candidate should be physically fit, detail-oriented, and must have excellent animal husbandry skills.

 

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day poultry farm operations.
• Inspect chickens for signs of disease or illness and ensure necessary actions are taken.
• Oversee feeding, growth and health of the poultry.
• Ensure that poultry houses, machinery, and equipment are in proper working condition.
• Maintain accurate records of poultry health, growth, and mortality.
• Adhere to biosecurity measures at all times to prevent disease spread.
• Assist in maintaining inventory and ordering supplies and feed.
• Manage waste disposal in line with company policies and local regulations.
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and standards.

 

Qualifications

• Proven experience working as a Poultry Farmer or similar role.
• Knowledge of poultry diseases, symptoms, and treatment.
• Ability to handle physical workload and to work in various weather conditions.
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and record-keeping abilities.
• Willingness to adhere to safety and biosecurity regulations.
• High school diploma. A degree in agriculture, animal science, or a related field is advantageous.

 

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• On-the-job training

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Poultry Farmer
• Work Environment: Outdoor and indoor settings with regular exposure to farm animals and weather conditions.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Farm Manager or Owner.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $30,000 minimum to $50,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Poultry Farmer Do?

Poultry Farmers are responsible for the daily care and management of poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds that produce meat or eggs for human consumption.

Their duties primarily involve breeding, raising, and caring for poultry, ensuring they have access to adequate nutrition, water, and shelter.

They monitor the health of the flock and administer vaccinations or medications as needed to prevent disease.

Poultry Farmers are also tasked with maintaining clean and safe living conditions for the poultry, which involves regular cleaning and disinfecting of the poultry houses.

They also monitor and control the lighting and temperature conditions to meet the specific needs of the poultry.

In addition, they collect and handle eggs or poultry meat for sale or distribution, following food safety regulations to ensure the products are safe for consumption.

Poultry Farmers are also responsible for the business aspects of farming, such as tracking expenses, managing employees, marketing their products, and maintaining records for regulatory purposes.

Furthermore, they may also be involved in hatching chicks, managing incubators, and culling unhealthy or unproductive birds.

With advancements in technology, Poultry Farmers may also need to operate and maintain automated systems for feeding, watering, or egg collection.

 

Poultry Farmer Qualifications and Skills

A successful Poultry Farmer should have the skills and qualifications that align with the job’s responsibilities, such as:

• Knowledge of poultry care including diet, behavior, breeding, and disease recognition and prevention.
• Physical stamina to work long hours in varying weather conditions and handle livestock.
• Understanding and implementing biosecurity measures to prevent disease spread in poultry production.
• Excellent time management skills to efficiently carry out day-to-day operations, such as feeding, maintaining clean living conditions, collecting eggs and monitoring the health of the flock.
• Ability to operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment.
• Strong problem-solving skills to diagnose health problems among poultry and implement effective solutions.
• Good interpersonal skills for communication with staff, veterinarians, suppliers and potential buyers.
• Basic business knowledge to manage farm operations, including budgeting, marketing, and complying with industry regulations.
• Knowledge of animal welfare regulations and an ethical commitment to the humane treatment of animals.

 

Poultry Farmer Experience Requirements

Poultry farmers often gain their initial experience through hands-on training and work, possibly on a family farm or through a part-time or summer job in agriculture.

Some poultry farmers may attend agricultural or animal science programs where they can gain valuable knowledge about animal health, nutrition, and farm management.

Internships or work-study programs can also provide relevant experience for this role.

For entry-level poultry farming jobs, employers may seek candidates with 1-2 years of experience in animal care or farm operations.

This can be gained through a combination of education and part-time work.

Candidates with 3-5 years of experience often have more specialized skills and knowledge in poultry farming operations, such as broiler management, egg production, or flock health management.

Those with more than 5 years of experience usually possess significant understanding of the industry and may have experience in farm management or supervision.

They may also have experience in business aspects of farming, such as marketing, sales, or financial management.

In addition, some roles may require knowledge or experience in organic or free-range farming methods, compliance with animal welfare standards, or the use of technology in farming operations.

 

Poultry Farmer Education and Training Requirements

To become a Poultry Farmer, typically a high school diploma or equivalent is required.

However, there is a growing trend in agriculture towards higher education, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, farm management, poultry science or a related field can be beneficial.

Practical farming experience is also important.

This can be gained through internships, cooperative farming programs, or by working on a family farm.

Coursework for aspiring poultry farmers can include topics such as animal nutrition, poultry health, and poultry breeding.

In addition, some farmers may choose to complete a certificate or diploma program in poultry farming.

These programs provide a comprehensive overview of the industry and often include topics like poultry meat production, egg production, and bird health.

While not mandatory, poultry farmers may choose to become certified by a professional organization, such as the American Poultry Association.

This certification can demonstrate a farmer’s professional competence and commitment to ethical farming practices.

Lastly, being a successful poultry farmer also requires a certain set of skills, including physical stamina, decision-making abilities, mechanical skills, and the ability to operate complex machinery.

They also need to be knowledgeable about the latest farming technologies and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases.

 

Poultry Farmer Salary Expectations

A Poultry Farmer can expect to earn an average salary of $71,920 (USD) per year.

However, this figure can greatly vary based on factors like the scale of operations, experience in the field, geographical location, and any additional income from selling poultry products.

 

Poultry Farmer Job Description FAQs

What skills does a poultry farmer need?

Poultry farmers should possess strong physical stamina as the job involves a lot of physical labor.

They also require observational skills to notice changes in birds’ behavior or health.

Having good problem-solving skills is essential as the farmer needs to diagnose and resolve problems that arise on the farm.

Additionally, business skills are beneficial for managing operations and finances effectively.

 

Do poultry farmers need a degree?

Poultry farmers do not necessarily need a degree.

However, a degree in agriculture, animal science, or a related field can provide useful knowledge about animal health, nutrition, and farm management.

Practical experience is often valued more than academic qualifications in this role.

 

What should you look for in a poultry farmer resume?

A poultry farmer’s resume should highlight relevant experience in animal husbandry, farm management, or related fields.

Certifications in animal health or welfare are a plus.

It’s also beneficial if the candidate has experience or training in business management, as a poultry farmer often needs to manage the farm’s finances and operations.

 

What qualities make a good poultry farmer?

A good poultry farmer is vigilant and observant, able to spot health issues in birds before they become severe.

They are also hard-working, able to handle physical labor and long hours.

Good poultry farmers are also responsible, ensuring that animal welfare standards are met and that the farm is run sustainably.

 

Is it difficult to hire poultry farmers?

The difficulty in hiring poultry farmers depends on the area and the specific requirements of the role.

In rural areas with a tradition of farming, it might be easier to find qualified candidates.

However, the job is physically demanding and requires commitment, which can make it more challenging to fill positions.

 

Conclusion

So there you have it.

Today, we’ve dug into what it truly means to be a poultry farmer.

And guess what?

It’s not just about feeding chickens.

It’s about fostering the growth of our food sources, one chicken at a time.

With our go-to poultry farmer job description template and real-world examples, you’re ready to take the next step.

But why stop there?

Take a deeper dive with our job description generator. It’s your ideal tool for creating precise job listings or for refining your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every chicken cared for is a part of the bigger food chain.

Let’s nurture that future. Together.