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Describe, and assist with, fawning and weaning

Level / 3
Credits / 5

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the normal process of fawning, and recognise and report on fawning problems; assist to tag, sex, and weigh fawns; and assist at weaning.

Subfield / Agriculture
Domain / Deer Farming
Status / Registered
Status date / 22 August 2008
Date version published / 22 August 2008
Planned review date / 31 December 2012
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and teaching professional in the same field from another provider.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0052

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

Performance of all aspects of this unit standard should comply with the Animal Welfare (Deer) Code of Welfare 2007, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2007, available at

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Describe the normal process of fawning, and recognise and report on fawning problems.

Performance criteria

1.1The normal process of fawning from the onset of parturition to the fawn’s first feed is described in terms of observable signs, behaviour, and time frames.

1.2Problems associated with fawning are identified and reported to the supervisor in accordance with on-farm practice.

Element 2

Assist to tag, sex, and weigh fawns.

Performance criteria

2.1The fawn is restrained with minimum stress and in a manner which enables sexing and weighing to be carried out without the risk of injury to self, other people, fawn, or other deer.

2.2Tagging is carried out in accordance with the Animal Welfare (Deer) Code of Welfare 2007.

2.3Records are maintained as directed by the supervisor.

Element 3

Assist at weaning.

Performance criteria

3.1Hinds and fawns are yarded and released from yards with minimum stress, and with least risk of injury to themselves, other deer, or people.

3.2Behaviour of deer is anticipated and controlled with minimum stress and least risk of injury.

3.3Fawns are weaned from hinds as directed by the supervisor.

3.4Health measures are implemented as directed by the supervisor.

Rangeanthelmintics – oral, pour on; vaccination.

3.5Records are maintained as directed by the supervisor.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018