Duty 3: Housing / Bedding Livestock
Ensure livestock have appropriate housing and bedding.
Activities to Cover
- An overview of livestock housing and how it allows natural behaviour (linked to the Five Needs).
- Daily housing checks, including water availability.
- Monitoring of environmental conditions (temperature, airflow, light, etc.).
- Cleaning routines and manure management practices.
- Bedding up - type of bedding and how it's maintained.
- Use of technology in housing (e.g. temperature control, ventilation systems, fans).
Practical Evidence Ideas
Some ideas for photographs, videos, witness statements or practical activities to record as Evidence in your Learning Journal.Duty Images
6 Steps to Great Journal Entries
1. WHAT
What did you do?
2. WHO
Who was involved?
3. TYPE
What kind of job is it?
4. HOW
How was it done? Tools/equipment/steps
5. WHY
Why is it important?
6. SAFETY
How was it done safely?
What a suitable Learning Journal Entries Looks like...
Below are two examples that could be used as evidence:
1. Livestock Housing and Natural Behaviour
2. Daily Housing Checks
🦠 Livestock Housing and Natural Behaviour
Today I checked the cattle shed with my supervisor.
We looked at the bedding, ventilation and space available for the animals.
I learned that good housing helps cattle stay healthy and allows them to rest, feed and move around naturally.
I also helped put down some fresh straw where needed.
📋 So in Summary - Here's how this Jounral Entry hit the 6 key points
WHAT → Checked livestock housing and bedding.
WHO → Worked with my supervisor.
TYPE → Livestock Housing and Welfare Task.
HOW → Inspected the shed and added fresh bedding.
WHY → To keep cattle healthy, comfortable and able to behave naturally
SAFETY → Wore PPE and worked safely around livestock.
🔍 Daily Housing and Water Checks
Today I completed daily housing and water checks with my supervisor.
We inspected the bedding, ventilation, and water sources for the animals.
I learned that regular checks help ensure the animals are healthy and comfortable.
I also helped refill the water troughs where needed.
📋 So in Summary - Here's how this Jounral Entry hit the 6 key points
WHAT → Completed daily housing and water checks
WHO → Worked independently and reported to my supervisor
TYPE → Daily livestock husbandry
HOW → Checked water troughs, bedding and pens.
WHY → To maintain animal health and welfare.
SAFETY → Wore PPE and followed safe working practices around cattle
Common Mistakes
⚠️ Common Learning Journal Mistakes
Writing too little
Example: “Fed cattle.” This gives very little evidence or detail.
Example: “Fed cattle.” This gives very little evidence or detail.
Forgetting the “why”
Explaining why the task matters shows understanding and learning.
Explaining why the task matters shows understanding and learning.
Missing safety information
PPE, machinery safety and livestock awareness are often forgotten.
PPE, machinery safety and livestock awareness are often forgotten.
Not mentioning teamwork
Working with supervisors or stock staff is useful evidence.
Working with supervisors or stock staff is useful evidence.
Writing a task list
“Fed cattle. Checked water. Cleaned yard.” does not explain the work properly.
“Fed cattle. Checked water. Cleaned yard.” does not explain the work properly.
Using vague wording
Words like “stuff” or “helped out” do not show real evidence.
Words like “stuff” or “helped out” do not show real evidence.
Repeating the same entry
Using the same wording every week weakens journal evidence.
Using the same wording every week weakens journal evidence.
Missing observations
Good entries mention animal behaviour, feed intake, water supply or machinery checks.
Good entries mention animal behaviour, feed intake, water supply or machinery checks.
Forgetting equipment used
Mentioning feeder wagons or handling systems strengthens evidence.
Mentioning feeder wagons or handling systems strengthens evidence.
Not explaining learning
Strong entries show understanding, not just completing jobs.
Strong entries show understanding, not just completing jobs.