Courses

About The Course

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HNC Poultry Production aims to develop candidates who have an understanding not only of appropriate production techniques and technologies, but a general knowledge of the scientific and business principles which underpin the industry and of the environmental context in which the sector operates.

The course is structured over one year of full-time study, but can be taken on a part-time basis.  It is delivered using a range of teaching and learning methods such as lectures, practical classes and tutorials, with farm/industry visits to supplement these college based activities.

This course will appeal to a wide range of people; you definitely don’t need to have a poultry background. Students will be taught by poultry specialists within the Avian Science Research Centre. There is access to a substantial poultry unit on site, which encompasses all aspects of modern poultry production from rearing of stock through to processing. The research centre is unique in the UK in terms of its hatchery, laboratories, processing plant and stock rearing facilities.

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HNC Poultry Production

Course Content

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Further information is available in SAC's undergraduate prospectus, and in our course leaflet which can be downloaded from this page. Please contact us for further information.

Study will cover all aspects of poultry production such as health, welfare and behaviour and nutrition, as well as learning about the specific buildings and equipment necessary for the efficient production of poultry meat and eggs.  Environmental issues and a basic knowledge of business management are also included.  Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to further develop your core skills in communication, numeracy, information technology, problem solving and working with others.

Career Opportunities

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Tremendous job opportunities await our graduates in today’s dynamic and highly advanced poultry industry.  Qualified individuals, who meet these challenges creatively and productively, will find plenty of scope for professional growth.

Previous career destinations have included Advisors with SEERAD, BOCM Pauls and Aviagen, managers’ positions with Grampian Country Food Group and Manor Farm Ducklings, Poultry Inspector with the Scottish Executive, Poultry Lecturer at SAC, Graduate Trainee with Hubbard ISA, Canada, PD Hook and Breeder Farm Manager with Monaghan Poultry.

Course Contacts

Ayr Course Contact

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Ayr Campus General Contact

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Student Experiences

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Tristan Nichols from North-West Tasmania.

Tristan comes from a small family owned and fully integrated poultry business in North-West Tasmania.  “I have worked on our farms most of my life and been involved in rearing parent stock, producing hatching eggs, hatching day old chicks and broiler production, right through to the  processing and packaging stages.  To further my experience I also worked for a while on a rearing farm in Queensland.  It was then I decided that I wanted to stay with poultry as a career and I also wanted to further my academic knowledge of poultry production.

I decided to come to SAC because of its worldwide reputation, even as far afield as Tasmania!  I found the course demanding but very enjoyable and campus life is great fun with social events happening throughout the year."

Tristan has also been lucky enough to have been selected for a new Scholarship introduced in 2007by PD Hook a large poultry company operating throughout the UK.  On successful completion of the HNC, Tristan began his 12 month placement with the company.  During this time Tristan will have the opportunity to work in all areas of the business i.e. Rearing, Breeding and Hatcheries.

Lynn Wilson comes from a dairy, sheep and beef farm in Wigtownshire.

Lynn began her studies at SAC with an NC in Agriculture.  Once she had successfully completed this course, Lynn decided to turn what had previously been a hobby into a career and chose to progress to an HNC in Poultry Production.

“I heard about SAC from my relations who had previously studied at the Ayr Campus and had all enjoyed their experiences, from both an academic and social aspect.  I can now see first hand exactly why they enjoyed their time here so much.  I enjoy being able to study in a rural environment as I am not too fond of city life!  The great thing about the course is that the class sizes are small and you receive a lot of one to one attention.  The staff are so friendly and approachable, everyone knows your name.”

Lynn feels that coming to study and live on SAC campus widened her own horizons - “there were students on my course from all over the world”. She is now embarking on the next stage in her career, increasing the size of her own poultry flock.