Plan and Manage Breeding Programmes for Animals

Transcription

1 Unit 29: Plan and Manage Breeding Programmes for Animals Unit code: T/503/1748 QCF level: 4 Credit value: 10 Aim The unit aims to develop the management skills and understanding needed to plan and implement animal breeding programmes. Unit abstract Many people working closely with animals needs to understand how to manage and plan animal breeding programmes. Animal production can be very rewarding if planned and managed correctly, and is an area that generates much interest. In this unit learners will consider the key concepts of planning and managing breeding programmes, as well as understanding the many factors that can influence and affect animal breeding. Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will: 1 Be able to manage breeding programmes for animals 2 Understand factors influencing breeding programmes. 153

2 Unit content 1 Be able to manage breeding programmes for animals Breeding plans: objectives of breeding eg purpose for which animals are to be bred; cost effectiveness; amount of offspring produced versus amount required; procedural planning for sale or transfer of progeny; planning for breeding; planning for intervention; maintenance of animal welfare throughout breeding; availability and suitability of resources (nutrition, housing, husbandry, environment) and staffing for successful implementation of the plan; risk and hazard assessment and control Compliance and advice: legislation eg Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act; Animal Welfare Act; governing bodies; regulatory codes of practice eg Kennel Club breeding standards, GCCF, Companion Animal Welfare Council; specialist external advice on breeding where and when to obtain; assurance schemes eg hip scoring, eye scoring, checking for breed/species hereditary issues Mating and parent choice: sire/dam compatibility; requirements from the mating eg colour/size of offspring; certain traits and characteristics; agreeing choice of parents against objectives and organisational requirements; assessing health and suitability of dam and sire, including prophylactic treatments both prior to mating and during gestation as appropriate; clear communication of agreed policies to those who need to be informed eg veterinarian, animal owner, stud book keeper Recording and communication: breeding records; sire and dam records; records of offspring produced and hereditary/breeding problems that may occur; importance of accurate recording systems; maintenance of records; evaluation and adaptation of breeding plans according to progress record changes, clear communication to those who need to be informed 2 Understand factors influencing breeding programmes Sources of information for animal breeding: previous breeding/individual performance records; stud books; specific animal data from organisations and pedigree certificates; IT databases; how and when to obtain this data to optimise the success of the breeding plan Genetics: laws of inheritance; sex determination; prediction of outcomes of mating including desirable and undesirable traits as linked to animal purpose; linkage; sex linkage; epistatic effects; inbreeding, line breeding, cross breeding, hybrid vigour; monohybrid and dihybrid crosses; rates of genetic gain and performance; calculation of genetic merit and potential risks Use of technological advances: sexed semen; embryo transfer; cross-breeding; interbreeding; advantages and disadvantages of breeding technologies; alternatives to modern technologies; effects on breeding programmes 154 BH Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals units in Animal Management

3 Reporting and communication: reporting and recording procedures under legislation eg Zoo Animals Act; Breeding and Sale of Dogs Welfare Act; Animal Welfare Act; codes of practice; Defra Codes of Recommendation for welfare; procedures for communicating policies, processes and practices; regular reviewing of plans; modifying plans when necessary; ways to modify programmes and communicate modifications to others Ethical considerations: compliance with relevant legislation and welfare standards; short- and long-term implications for parents and other animals of breeding; surplus animals 155

4 Learning outcomes and assessment criteria Learning outcomes On successful completion of this unit a learner will: Assessment criteria for pass The learner can: LO1 LO2 Be able to manage breeding programmes for animals Understand factors influencing breeding programmes 1.1 plan animal breeding to meet intended purposes, objectives and targets 1.2 manage the implementation of mating from chosen parents to meet breeding objectives and animal welfare requirements 1.3 manage the implementation of suitable animal breeding plans 1.4 evaluate progress of breeding programmes and adapt as necessary 2.1 evaluate sources of information on animals for breeding 2.2 assess potential merits of planned mating 2.3 explain the desirable and undesirable traits specific to an animal s purpose 2.4 examine the implications of inbreeding, line breeding, cross breeding, genetics and resultant hybrid vigour 156 BH Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals units in Animal Management

5 Guidance Links This unit links to Unit 19: Production Animal Management. Essential requirements For this unit learners must be involved in planning for and managing the breeding animals in a specified situation. Learners need access to the internet and up-to-date and relevant literature and journals. Animal welfare requirements must be paramount at all times. Animals must not be subjected to stress or overuse during delivery of this unit. Employer engagement and vocational contexts Learners would benefit from guest lecturers from breeding establishments for different animals, such as animals in a laboratory, production animals, pets and animals with specific uses such as guide dogs. Learners would benefit from visiting establishments where guest lecturers work to gain an insight into the day-to-day planning for and managing the breeding of animals, from the stages of deciding on a sire/dam to following it through and predicting the outcomes of breeding and the mating/pregnancy process. 157