training@kznpi.co.za | +27 64 860 0130
We give you the tools to spread your wings!
training@kznpi.co.za | +27 64 860 0130
We give you the tools to spread your wings!
Skills Development
Leaders in Staff Training and
Skills Development
Regular Courses
Training to Your Requirements
Economic Upliftment
A fully accredited Non-Profit
Training Provider

Short Courses

Most of our standard short courses run for five days and include poultry production disciplines as well as in some of the ancilliary skills that are vital to a successful poultry venture. Courses can be held at the KZNPI or at the client’s facility.

Unless specifically requested, all training is at NQF Level 3 and all learning material and facilitation is in English. NQF Level 1 and 2 training can be arranged in isiZulu or English.  

Our standard courses include :

General Poultry Production

A broad introduction to farming with chickens including the fundamentals of :
  • Bird health
  • Vaccination
  • Biosecurity, housing, equipment, welfare, ventilation, water and feed management and record keeping.
  • The stages of broiler grow-out are then studied in detail, as is the management requirements for successful table egg production

Hatchery Management

  • The biology of fertile egg production.
  • Management of the fertile egg up to incubation.
  • The biology of incubation process and conditions for successful incubation.
  • Chick handling, welfare and transport.
  • Hatchery biosecurity.
  • Embryodiagnosis.

Commercial Layer Production

The fundamentals of commercial layer farming :
  • Bird health and welfare
  • Vaccination
  • Biosecurity, housing, equipment, ventilation, water and feed management.
  • The practical management requirements for successful production of quality table eggs are closely examined.
  • The use of records in a profitable layer business.

Broiler Breeder Production   

  • The biology of the male and female breeders for fertile egg production.
  • Breeder housing and equipment, flock health and vaccination
  • Biosecurity, ventilation and litter management,
  • Feeding the broiler breeder, water supply, record keeping, management of the fertile egg.

Biosecurity

  • Disease-causing organisms on the poultry farm.  
  • The disease equation and the biosecurity pyramid. Vectors of disease and disease transmission.  
  • Sanitary conditions.  
  • Terminal hygiene – cleaning poultry holdings. Continuous biosecurity.  Role of vaccination in biosecurity.
  • Monitoring biosecurity. Responsible biosecurity.

Indigenous Chicken Production

  • The history and uses of village chickens.
  • Types of production systems.
  • Common problems with village chickens.
  • Disease and parasite control. Hygiene.
  • Housing systems and protecting chicks.
  • Feeding, breeding, record keeping.

Poultry Business Skills

(also available via distance learning)
Ideal for those thinking of starting a poultry venture or for those producing poultry products who would like to improve their profitability and understand the market better.   The workshop includes discussions, short written tasks, role plays and calculations. All examples and case studies are specific to poultry and delegates are is encouraged to apply the principles to their unique circumstances and to plan a strategy for their own business.
Topics covered include :
  • Entrepreneurial skills
  • The feasibility study
  • Writing a business plan for a poultry farm
  • The importance of production records
  • Marketing
  • Managing finances

The Poultry Advisor

  • This challenging workshop is for the extension officer or commercial technical advisor who is servicing poultry farmers.   A tertiary qualification and/or experience with poultry production is a prerequisite.  The course grows the skills that advisors need to offer valuable advice to producers : observation, critical thinking, problem-solving, records assessment, calculations, communication and leadership.
  • On-farm work includes sample-taking, auditing, set-up and bird-handling. Candidates tackle a group case-study which is then presented to the class.    Candidates can purchase a toolbox of useful equipment to assist them during poultry farm visits.

 

Poultry Team Leader

  • These courses are ideal for the supervisor or junior manager on a poultry unit.   Goal one is to expand on the delegates’ technical knowledge of their particular production area, be it broilers, commercial layers, pullet rearing, breeders or chick production. The emphasis is on understanding the ‘why’ behind on-farm activities and the potential consequences of poor work performance.
 
  • Goal two is to grow the candidates’ leadership and communication skills to enable them to perform their role more effectively. The workplace examples and role plays used to develop skills are based on typical poultry farm situations
Customised courses and skills packages can be arranged together with the client for groups of ten or more delegates. Frequently requested training packages include :
  • Broiler / Layer Production with Poultry Business Skills to equip new farmers with the skills to run their own poultry business
  • Specific production training coupled with leadership and/or communication skills to help the trainee become an effective employee in a larger company
  • Courses in Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition can also be offered to groups on request.
 

Do contact us to discuss your specific needs.