Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Animal caretaker
in the field of sheep farming
Recognised by ordinance of 17 May 2005 (BGBl. I p. 1426)

Duration of traineeship

3 years.
The venues for training are company and part-time vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Animal caretakers work on livestock farms, in farming associations and institutions, in veterinary clinics and laboratories, in agricultural training institutes, in the agricultural goods trade and in farm management.

Occupational skills

Animal caretakers in the field of sheep farming

• produce and market animals and animal products, observing trade-specific regulations and quality standards 

• assist in reproducing and rearing livestock

• feed animals in the correct manner and determine the productive capacity of the animals

• feed and keep animals using farm-specific systems and methods; clean, disinfect and maintain animal accommodation 

• conduct preventive health measures and care for sick animals following veterinary instructions and hygiene specifications

• select rams, ensure the insemination of ewes, assist in birthing, and care for the lamb and mother

• shear, milk and slaughter sheep

• conduct measures to promote and maintain the quality of wool and meat

• keep sheepdogs and use them with sheep herds

• conduct measures to preserve wildlife and the landscape

• conduct their work independently according to work contracts or plans, both alone and in a team, observing basic business management and legal principles, as well as consumer protection and animal protection

• plan and document their work, specify working steps, take measures to protect safety and health at work, check and evaluate their work results and conduct quality assurance measures

• use communication and information technologies within the enterprise and when dealing with customers

• use machines, devices and operating materials, make use of operating facilities, and maintain machines, devices and operating facilities and service them.

Last modified on: December 12, 2006