Poultry Farm Worker

The day starts with the walk through: birds inspected, dead stock removed and recorded, drinkers and feeders checked along the line, and the water meter read. You adjust the ventilation and the heating to the age of the flock, add litter where it is damp and log the house temperature and humidity. Between batches the house is emptied, washed, disinfected and rested, and the equipment lowered and reset for the next placement. Work runs 07:00-16:00 with a rota for weekends and holidays.

Basic schooling and the right to work in Portugal

Farm or animal experience is welcome, training is given

Able to walk the houses and lift feed bags through the day

Attentive to bird behaviour, since a problem shows early

Willing to work one weekend in three and some public holidays

Basic English for equipment screens and product labels

Net salary from 870 up to 957 EUR per month

Permanent contract with Social Security from the first day

Meal allowance of 5,25 EUR for every worked day under the sector agreement

Supplement for weekend and public holiday duty

Accommodation on the farm for workers coming from outside the district

Paid biosecurity and animal welfare training

Overalls, boots, gloves and a dust mask provided and laundered

Workers who hold the house records and the biosecurity routine take charge of a house of their own within two years, which is paid at the farm manager grade. The training is paid by the business.

Enclosed poultry houses with automatic feeding, drinking lines and controlled ventilation, warm and dusty when the flock is grown. Overalls, boots, gloves and a dust mask are mandatory, supplied by the employer and washed on site.