A Vaccinator’s role is to ensure that vaccinations can be administered to birds to prevent diseases occurring. This can be by injecting using a syringe and needle or administered by the water supply and through particle spraying.
A Vaccinator needs to be able to handle birds without causing stress, and know where and how to administer vaccines.
They may work with various ages of birds, and various types of farms and systems. This can be with breeding poultry birds, with layers producing eggs for the food chain as well as with birds bred for meat.
Working Conditions
Vaccinators will generally work at least 39 hours per week, which may be in the form of shifts. Early mornings, evenings and weekend work are all common. There are also opportunities for part-time and casual work. Most Vaccinators work inside with birds.
Salary
Salaries vary with experience, qualifications and between companies, but here's a guide to what you can expect.
£15,000
£20,000
Getting started
Relevant qualifications
To work in the poultry industry you will need to like handling and working in close proximity to birds, and enjoy working in teams.
New entrants or those with less than a year’s experience in the poultry meat industry would need to attend short training courses to ensure they are trained to the minimum standard as set by the British Poultry Training Initiative.
For more information about poultry careers visit the British Poultry Council.
What experienced workers can do
- Monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the workplace
- Maintain good standards of health and safety for self and others
- Maintain environmental good practice at work
- Receive and communicate information
- Maintain and understand records
- Assist in delivering basic treatment to livestock
- Handle and restrain birds
- Maintain personal hygiene
- Maintain site biosecurity.
Personal qualities you should have
- Timekeeping
- Planning and preparation for work
- Working alone
- Attention to detail
- Safety awareness
- Flexibility.
Next steps
Most vaccinators work as specialists for independent companies which are contracted to the poultry producers.
Due to the size and structure of the poultry industry there are many opportunities to progress and move between companies.
The British Poultry Training Initiative keeps a record of all the training completed, similar to a CV, called the Poultry Passport.
Industry links
British Institute of Agricultural Consultants
National Farmers Union Scotland
Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service