Cobb - Laying House Worker

Tyson Foods•Deer Lodge, TN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laying House Worker attends to and cares for roosters and hens in a laying house, maintains the condition of the house, and gathers eggs for incubation in line with production objectives. The role also includes other duties assigned based on business needs. The position is based at the Tennessee Pedigree Complex in Deer Lodge, Tennessee, and reports to the Production Manager, Pedigree. The posted starting pay is $17.45 per hour, with additional shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends. The schedule is Sunday–Wednesday or Wednesday–Saturday, including holidays, with hours of 5:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; schedules may change based on production needs. The jobsite is a biosecure environment. Employees must shower onsite and change clothing and footwear before entering the facility; the company provides appropriate clothing and footwear. External jewelry is prohibited except medical ID jewelry, and only piercings covered by on-farm clothing are permitted. Employees must agree not to own or contact avian species and must sign and follow the company’s biosecurity and animal welfare guidelines. Work takes place around livestock and equipment and may involve wet, slippery, hot, dry, dusty, and cold conditions. Required protective equipment varies by task and includes safety glasses or goggles, a face shield, chemical gloves, a waterproof apron, ear protection, and rubber boots. NIOSH-approved N95 particulate respirators may be worn as needed. The role may involve using vitamin supplements, animal dye, and disinfectants. Employees are expected to follow safety procedures, including hazard communication, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, and personal protective equipment requirements, and to identify and mitigate safety risks.

Requirements

At least 12 months of consecutive work history with one employer and no employment gaps greater than 6 months during the past 36 months. For applicants laid off or providing child or elder care, the allowed gap is extended to 18 months. This work-history requirement does not apply to applicants who have been full-time students consecutively for the past 36 months.
Must reside in the United States to be considered for an interview.
Must be willing to shower onsite and change clothing and footwear before entering the facility.
Must be willing to sign an agreement not to own or have contact with avian species and to sign and follow the company’s biosecurity and animal welfare guidelines.
Must be able to perform the physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation, including regularly lifting or moving up to 25 pounds, occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds, and pushing or pulling wheeled supply skids up to 1,000 pounds.
Must use safe lifting techniques and be able to stand for most of the shift, walk, stoop, reach, balance, handle objects and tools, and drive a vehicle within the farm complex.
Must be willing to use chemicals such as vitamin supplements, animal dye, and disinfectants.
Must follow applicable safety policies and procedures, including hazard communication, respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, and personal protective equipment requirements.
Rehire applicants must meet a minimum 180-day waiting period; the company’s rehire rule permits no more than three periods of employment at Cobb/Tyson Foods.

Nice To Haves

Previous agricultural or production experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect eggs from belts, nest boxes, slats, and pen floors, checking pens for eggs at least eight times during the day.
Observe egg shell color, texture, and size; separate and record eggs accordingly.
Mark eggs for line and source identification, follow special export-order instructions, and record and dispose of substandard eggs as instructed.
Pack identified eggs in plastic hatchery flats and place them in farm egg cases with matching tickets for scheduled pickup.
Perform routine housekeeping, including turning or changing shavings, sweeping, dusting, removing trash, and light maintenance.
Check equipment, partitions, and house infrastructure daily; repair deficiencies or report them.
Perform quality assurance procedures, including collecting weekly feed samples and environmental swabs and monitoring sanitation in the boot room and work area.
Feed and water birds according to schedules; ensure feeders and drinkers are accessible and feed is evenly distributed.
Weigh and distribute the specified daily feed rations for hens and roosters.
Weigh hens and roosters weekly and calculate and record individual and average weights and uniformity.
Examine birds for signs of illness and treat them according to instructions; administer supplements and medications as instructed.
Record and dispose of dead birds as instructed, and document information such as egg numbers, bird weights, medications, feed intake, and mortality.
Maintain housekeeping and sanitation in work and storage areas, breakrooms, boot rooms, equipment, and vehicles; clean incinerators.
Move birds, perform groundskeeping, organize breeder tags, and euthanize selected or weak or ill birds according to company policy.
Follow company biosecurity, animal welfare, and safety rules and procedures.