Cobb - Laying House Worker

Tyson Foods•Deer Lodge, TN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laying House Worker cares for roosters and hens in a laying house, maintains the condition of the house, and gathers eggs for incubation in accordance with production objectives. The role also includes feeding and watering birds, monitoring their health and weight, maintaining records, and carrying out other duties assigned to meet business needs. The position is at the Tennessee Pedigree Complex in Deer Lodge, Tennessee, and reports to the Production Manager, Pedigree. The schedule is Sunday–Wednesday or Wednesday–Saturday, from 5:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., including holidays. The schedule may change based on production needs. The jobsite is biosecure. Employees must shower on-site and change clothing and footwear before entering the facility; appropriate clothing and footwear are provided. Employees may not wear external jewelry except medical identification, and only piercings covered by farm clothing are permitted. Employees must be willing to sign an agreement not to own or have contact with birds or other avian species, and must follow company biosecurity and animal-welfare guidelines. The role requires working on wet and slippery surfaces and in hot, dry, dusty, wet, and cold conditions, often around equipment and livestock. Employees must follow applicable safety procedures, including Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Lockout/Tagout, and personal protective equipment requirements. Safety glasses, goggles, a face shield, chemical gloves, a waterproof apron, hearing protection, and rubber boots are required for different tasks; NIOSH-approved N95 respirators may be worn as needed. Commonly used chemicals include vitamin supplements, animal dye, and disinfectants.

Requirements

At least 12 months of consecutive work history with one employer and no employment gaps greater than six months in the past 36 months. The gap limit is extended to 18 months for applicants who were laid off or providing child or elder care; this work-history requirement does not apply to applicants who have been full-time students for the past 36 consecutive months.
Must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must use safe lifting techniques; regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and push or pull wheeled supply skids up to 1,000 pounds.
Must be able to stand for most of the shift on a concrete floor and perform duties involving walking, sitting, handling objects or tools, reaching, balancing, stooping, and driving a vehicle within the farm complex.
Must be willing to shower on-site and change clothing and footwear before entering the biosecure facility.
Must be willing to sign an agreement not to own or have contact with avian species and to sign and follow company biosecurity and animal-welfare guidelines.
Must follow safety procedures and wear task-appropriate personal protective equipment; must be willing to use chemicals such as vitamin supplements, animal dye, and disinfectants.

Nice To Haves

Previous agricultural or production experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collect eggs from belts, nest boxes, slats, and pen floors; check pens for eggs at least eight times throughout the day.
Inspect eggs for shell color, texture, and size; separate and record eggs as required, mark them for line and source identification, and follow special export-order instructions.
Record and dispose of substandard eggs as instructed; pack identified eggs in plastic hatchery flats and 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 tasks, including collecting weekly feed samples and environmental swabs and monitoring egg quality and sanitation in the boot room and work area.
Feed and water birds according to schedules; ensure feeders and drinkers are accessible, distribute feed evenly, and weigh and distribute the specified daily rations for hens and roosters.
Weigh hens and roosters weekly, calculate and record individual and average weights and uniformity, and examine birds for signs of illness.
Treat birds according to instructions; administer nutrition supplements and medications as instructed, and record and dispose of dead birds as instructed.
Maintain records of egg numbers, bird weights, medications, feed intake, and mortality.
Maintain housekeeping and sanitation in work areas, storage areas, breakrooms, boot rooms, equipment, and vehicles; clean incinerators.
Assist with moving birds, groundskeeping, and organizing breeder tags; inspect birds for quality and progress and euthanize selected or weak or ill birds in accordance with company policy.
Follow applicable safety policies and procedures and identify, address, and mitigate safety-related risks.