Arbor Acres Plus: Everything You Need to Know About This Broiler Chicken

Arbor Acres Farms Inc. was established in 1917 in Connecticut, USA, by the Saglio brothers. Initially, their business focused on fruit and vegetable cultivation. However, in 1923, a turning point occurred when they accidentally started raising a few chickens in a discarded piano crate, planting the seeds for a major enterprise. This venture gradually grew, and by 1939, Henry Saglio, along with his brothers John and Charles, seriously pursued poultry farming.

Arbor Acres was active in both layer (egg-laying chicken) and broiler (meat chicken) production, but its international reputation stemmed primarily from its female line of broilers. At the time, other companies sought suitable male lines to cross with this female line. Notably, Charles Vantress developed the Vantress Cornish male and, when combined with the Nichols female, achieved first and second place in the prestigious “Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest.”

The Arbor Acres female line was recognized as the most successful globally until the 1990s, when meat yield gained significant market importance. In the early 1950s, Arbor Acres introduced the White Rock broiler, which received exceptional international acclaim. By 1958, it was estimated that 50 percent of the world’s broiler chickens carried Arbor Acres genetics. In 1969, the company introduced two new female lines, AA 50 and AA 60, and finally, in 1976, it began offering its AA broiler breeder male and female lines separately or as a package.

Alongside broiler production, Arbor Acres was also involved in the layer sector, producing and marketing various breeds. Following the cessation of operations by Mt. Hope, Arbor Acres initially sold the Mt. Hope Queen chicken. In the late 1960s, the AA 26 white egg layer was introduced as a replacement for the AA Queen, and in the late 1970s, the AA Leghorn was added to their offerings. A significant milestone in Arbor Acres’ layer history was the acquisition of the renowned Harco breed in 1964. This breed, a cross between the Rhode Island Red and the Barred Plymouth Rock, was developed in 1924 by Howard A. Richards. In the 1950s, Richards’ purebred Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rock strains produced 250 to 260 eggs annually, among the highest yields for purebreds in the United States at the time. By purchasing the Harco Black sex-linked lines after Richards sold Harco Orchards in the early 1960s, Arbor Acres entered the brown egg market, marketing it as the AA Sex-Link. The company also developed another brown egg layer in the late 1980s. However, in 1986, Arbor Acres ended its involvement in layer breeding in the United States and partnered with Babolna of Hungary for breeding and marketing layer strains, fully concentrating on broiler breeding in the US.

Arbor Acres’ international success led to several ownership changes. The International Basic Economy Corporation (IBEC), owned by the Rockefeller brothers, gradually acquired Arbor Acres, completing the acquisition by 1964. Subsequently, the British company Booker PLC purchased IBEC and remained the majority shareholder until 1985 when Henry Saglio left the company. After his departure, Saglio founded Avian Farms with his son. Booker PLC owned Arbor Acres until 1999, when it was acquired by BC Partners. Ultimately, Arbor Acres is now owned by Aviagen, a company based in Scotland, which was acquired by the Erich Wesjohann Group in 2005 and is one of Aviagen’s three primary broiler brands. In addition to his pivotal role in the poultry industry, Henry Saglio also held management positions and memberships in industry and art-related boards.
The role of the national “Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest” in the advancement of the American poultry industry and Arbor Acres’ success cannot be overstated. This competition was launched in 1945 through a collaboration between A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company), the largest poultry retailer at the time, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The goal of this innovative initiative was to breed chickens with faster growth rates and improved weight gain.
A&P, a significant player in food retail history that dominated the industry for decades with its high-volume, low-cost marketing model, sought to improve its public image after being convicted of illegal restraint of trade in 1945, and the “Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest” was part of these efforts. Farmers and breeders across the country participated in the competition, with chickens raised under standardized conditions and evaluated for growth, health, and appearance. Following regional contests in 1946 and 1947, 40 finalists were selected for the final competition. In 1948 and 1951, Arbor Acres’ White Rock breed won the championship in the purebred category. This breed gained recognition for its superior performance compared to other breeds, including the Dark Cornish, and was eventually crossbred with it to develop the Arbor Acres breed that became widely used in the global poultry industry.
Arbor Acres was managed by Frank Saglio, an Italian immigrant, and his son Henry laid the groundwork for future success by raising chickens for local sale. Henry Saglio’s chickens’ victory in the “Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest” was a pivotal moment that led to the establishment of a national chicken breeding business, with parent stock supplied to major broiler companies across the country. In addition to providing breeder flocks, Arbor Acres was also a pioneer in developing techniques and facilities to improve chicken performance. As demand for more affordable chicken increased, the broiler industry rapidly moved towards vertical integration, and the Saglio family played an active role in establishing the National Broiler Council, an organization for public relations and industry lobbying.
The story of Arbor Acres is a fascinating narrative of the intertwining of a family farm with a national competition and global ambitions. In 1964, Nelson Rockefeller, through his company IBEC, acquired Arbor Acres, marking a new chapter in the company’s history. Rockefeller, who had stepped down from government service in the same year as the first “Chicken-of-Tomorrow Contest,” established IBEC as his commercial arm to implement a different approach to assisting developing countries. IBEC’s goal, through investments in industries like poultry production, was to promote capital-intensive and technologically advanced production systems, create a prosperous middle class, and counter the influence of communism in countries that were often sites of oil extraction by Standard Oil. By promoting a modern, capital-intensive production method, IBEC gradually weakened traditional peasant farming, which relied more on manual labor and local inputs. The success of this model required a stable supply chain of grains, as well as modern distribution and sales systems, similar to the large A&P supermarket chain. Accordingly, in 1949, IBEC partnered with Cargill to build grain silos in Argentina, a move that paved the way for Cargill’s further expansion in the Latin American market. With the acquisition of Arbor Acres, the genetic resources of the AA chicken rapidly spread across the globe, from Latin America to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Arbor Acres’ joint ventures with major agricultural companies in Asia, including in China where a significant portion of chickens still originate from these genetics, are considered major achievements of IBEC.

Despite successes such as the globalization of the Arbor Acres breed, not all of IBEC’s development projects were equally successful, and in the 1970s, the company began selling its assets. In 1980, IBEC merged with Booker McConnell, adopting the Arbor Acres name. Subsequently, the ownership of Arbor Acres changed several times and is currently part of Aviagen, a poultry breeding company that markets three prominent brands globally. These developments reflect the dynamism and continuous changes in the poultry production industry.
However, the story of industrial chicken farming is not limited to commercial successes. The rise of this industry has led to a significant reduction in the diversity of chicken breeds and greater dependence on fast-growing, high-yield breeds. Thousands of small farmers have been replaced by large industrial units and face complex contracts with large processors. Intensive chicken farming, despite efforts to create resistant breeds, has also led to an increase in diseases and antibiotic use, which in turn has exacerbated the antibiotic resistance crisis. Henry Saglio, known as the “father” of the poultry industry, expressed concern about the overuse of antibiotics in his later years and founded a company to produce drug-free breeds, although these efforts did not achieve widespread market penetration.

In summary, the history of Arbor Acres Plus can be stated as follows:

• In 1969, Arbor Acres produced two parent lines: AA 50 and AA 60.
• In 1976, they also produced the AA broiler male line and sold it both separately and alongside the female line.
• In 1986, Arbor Acres ended layer breeding in the United States and fully focused on broiler breeding.
• Ultimately, Aviagen acquired Arbor Acres and currently offers the Plus strain.

The Arbor Acres Plus breed, the cornerstone of the Arbor Acres brand, stands out as a top choice for optimal broiler production. This breed has been developed for efficient production, ensuring both excellent performance in parent stock and outstanding growth in Plus broiler chicks. Furthermore, it offers significant yield during processing. These characteristics have made the Plus breed a globally popular choice in the broiler industry. Additionally, hatcheries can produce these day-old chicks on a large scale, even in challenging conditions, and maintain profitability.
Generally, broiler farmers achieve substantial profits raising Arbor Acres Plus chicks due to their exceptional growth rate, optimal Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and high livability. Moreover, the high demand for their breast meat in slaughterhouses and retail outlets makes them a popular choice among consumers.

Arbor Acres chickens are generally known for their large size and good meat quality. Beyond rapid growth and abundant meat production, Arbor Acres chicks efficiently utilize their feed, exhibiting an optimal feed conversion ratio. Their meat is tender and flavorful, characterized by well-developed breast muscles and low-fat content. Due to these traits, they are frequently used in industrial meat production. The breed’s fast growth and excellent feed conversion make it ideal for mass meat production.

Physical Characteristics of the Arbor Acres Plus Chicken:

The Arbor Acres breed is distinguished by its round, plump body and short, strong legs. Their shanks have good meat yield relative to bone, and their feet are bright yellow. This breed is also characterized by a small red wattle and a simple comb.
While not the most visually striking chicken, the Arbor Acres is a solid choice for those looking to raise chickens for meat due to its reliability and adaptability. Arbor Acres hens do not lay eggs as prolifically as heritage breeds, as their primary focus is meat production.

Key Benefits of Raising Arbor Acres Plus Broilers:

• Rapid Growth and Short Growing Period: Arbor Acres Plus chicks grow quickly, reaching their desired slaughter weight in a short timeframe. This allows farmers to complete more production cycles in less time,
  increasing efficiency. For example, the average weight of this breed is approximately 2.287 kg at 35 days, around 2.981 kg at 42 days, and an average of 4.263 kg at 56 days. Arbor Acres chickens achieve a significant live weight gain of 2.7 kg in their first six weeks and reach a maximum weight of 2.9 kg by eight weeks.
• Optimal Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR): This breed efficiently converts feed into body mass, resulting in a favorable feed conversion ratio. Simply put, they produce more high-quality meat with a given amount of feed, leading to reduced production costs.
• Premium Meat Quality: The meat from Arbor Acres Plus chickens is of high quality, offering a desirable taste and texture for human consumption. Their breast muscles are well-developed, and the meat has a low fat content, making it delicious and appealing.

Other Notable Characteristics of the Plus Chicken Include:

• High efficiency in broiler meat production
• Good performance and adaptability to various rearing conditions
• Suitable profitability for hatcheries and broiler farms
• High meat quality and appealing appearance for consumers