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Career Details : Animal Breeders

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Description

Breed animals, including cattle, goats, horses, sheep, swine, poultry, dogs, cats, or pet birds. Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require a knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Milks cows and goats.
  • Adjusts controls to maintain specific temperature in building.
  • Feeds and waters animals and cleans, pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
  • Arranges for sale of animals to hospitals, research centers, pet shops, and food-processing plants.
  • Kills animals, removes their pelts, and arranges for sale of pelts.
  • Examines animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
  • Exhibits animals at shows.
  • Records weight, diet, and other breeding data.
  • Selects animals to be bred, according to knowledge of animals, genealogy, traits, and offspring desired.
  • Treats minor injuries and ailments and engages veterinarian to treat animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
  • Builds and maintains hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
  • Clips or shears hair on animals.
  • Brands, tags, dehorns, tattoos, or castrates animals.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Hazardous Situations
    • Hazardous Situations
    • Outdoors
    • Consequence of Error
    • Objective or Subjective Information

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Agricultural Technologyadd Agricultural Technology to MyFSA
    Dairy/Livestock/Poultry Production Systems/Managementadd Dairy/Livestock/Poultry Production Systems/Management to MyFSA
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