poultry breeder
Role lens
Are you passionate about animal welfare and agriculture? As a poultry breeder, you play a vital role in ensuring healthy and productive flocks, contributing to the food supply and advancements in poultry genetics.
Poultry breeders are skilled professionals focused on the health, welfare, and genetic improvement of poultry. Your day-to-day work involves a combination of practical animal care, monitoring breeding stock, and implementing best practices to optimize flock performance. This role requires attention to detail, a strong understanding of poultry biology, and a commitment to ethical and sustainable farming practices. You'll often work within established breeding programs, contributing to the ongoing development of poultry varieties.
- • Monitor the health and behavior of breeding hens and roosters, identifying and addressing any concerns.
- • Manage breeding programs to ensure genetic quality and desired traits are maintained or improved.
- • Maintain accurate records of breeding cycles, egg production, and chick hatch rates.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Market-oriented skilled agricultural workers — 27 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Italy and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Hungary, 2 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Future Outlook for poultry breeder
The outlook for poultry breeder reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could poultry breeder change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could poultry breeder change as AI adoption grows?
Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- manage animal biosecurity
- monitor the production of eggs
- monitor the welfare of animals
Tasks most exposed to automation
- maintain professional records
- create animal records
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Agriculture
A typical day as a poultry breeder
09 09:00 · Morning breed poultry
10 10:30 · Mid-morning apply animal hygiene practices
12 12:00 · Midday administer treatment to animals
14 14:00 · Afternoon assist in transportation of animals
15 15:30 · Late afternoon administer drugs to facilitate breeding
17 17:00 · Wrap-up assist animal birth
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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livestock species
Livestock species and relevant genetics.
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signs of animal illness
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
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computerised feeding systems
The functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.
- animal nutrition
- animal welfare legislation
- health and safety regulations
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provide first aid to animals
Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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apply animal hygiene practices
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
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care for juvenile animals
Assess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.
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assist animal birth
Assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodine.
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breed poultry
Prepare a suitable environment for poultry breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of poultry. Monitor the poultry's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determinate when the poultry are ready for trade, consumption or other purposes.
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control animal movement
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
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assist in transportation of animals
Assist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transport process.
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manage animal biosecurity
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
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monitor the welfare of animals
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
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maintain professional records
Produce and maintain records of work performed.
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create animal records
Create animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.
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administer drugs to facilitate breeding
Administer specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and record keeping.
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administer treatment to animals
Administer animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'
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provide nutrition to animals
Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'
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maintain animal accommodation hygienic
Make sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.
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dispose of dead animals
Dispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does poultry breeder fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education or experience is typically needed to become a poultry breeder?
- While a formal degree isn't always required, a background in agriculture, animal science, or a related field is highly beneficial. Many employers prefer candidates with practical experience working with poultry, often gained through internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles on poultry farms.
- What are the working conditions like for a poultry breeder?
- The role often involves working outdoors in various weather conditions and spending considerable time in poultry houses. Physical stamina and the ability to perform tasks requiring bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods are important. Strict hygiene protocols are essential to maintain flock health.
- Are there opportunities for advancement within the poultry breeding field?
- Yes, with experience and further training, poultry breeders can progress to roles with greater responsibility, such as flock manager, breeding program supervisor, or even specialist roles focused on genetics or disease management. Continuous learning about advancements in poultry science is key for career growth.
- Poultry Breeder — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 8 of the 9 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Italy and 4 more. Hungary has reported one for 2 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Poultry Breeder — what does it pay in the United States?
- $52,000 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $40,220 to $68,980. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
- Poultry Breeder — is it a regulated profession?
- It is listed as a regulated profession in 1 European country: Slovenia. The lowest qualification level required among them is EQF 3. Where a profession is regulated, a qualification earned elsewhere has to be formally recognised before you can practise. Source: EU Regulated Professions Database.