The History of Arian Broiler Chicken and Line Breeding in Iran
Globally, only a select group of countries—including the United States, England, the Netherlands, Brazil, India, Germany, France, and Iran—produce grandparent stock chickens. In Iran, the decision to initiate line breeding was first made between 1976 and 1977. Consequently, a flock of Arbor Acres breed chickens was imported from the United States and housed at the Kadkhoda poultry farm in the Buin Zahra region of Qazvin. This coincided with the Iranian Revolution, and due to a lack of understanding regarding poultry and poultry farming, the entire flock, valued at thousands of dollars, was culled and used for consumption.
Several years later, line breeding facilities were established at the 1,137-hectare Line Chicken Complex situated in the pristine forested areas of northern Iran (Mazandaran, south of Babol). This location was chosen to ensure that the parent stock could be maintained in an environment free from contamination, thereby minimizing the risk of infectious diseases.
The construction of this complex spanned seven years. Finally, in 1993, a flock of eleven thousand Hybro breed chickens was imported from the Netherlands. Over time, various breeding improvements were implemented, resulting in the breed’s current characteristics. This breed was named “Arian,” and to this day, the Arian grandparent and parent stock broilers continue to be maintained at this facility.
Arian Chicken Market Share
In the late 1990s, the Arian Line Chicken Complex supplied 85% of the country’s grandparent stock chicken needs. However, this share plummeted to less than 2% in the 2000s. The decline was attributed to the lack of updated breeding knowledge and genetic improvements in the Arian chicken. While other countries continuously enhanced their breeds, the Arian chicken remained unchanged, falling behind its competitors.
The merger of Jihad of Construction and the Ministry of Agriculture in the 2000s created challenges in the production process of Arian chicken. Within three years, this event reduced the breed’s market share from 85% to almost zero. Following the intensification of sanctions and import restrictions, officials sought to revitalize the breed. On December 16, 2020, the first commercial shipment of Arian crossbreeds was produced.
Despite these efforts, producers are reluctant to use the Arian breed. They argue that due to its unfavorable feed conversion ratio, lower carcass quality, and poor weight gain, the breed does not meet market demands. The high production cost and low efficiency of Arian chicks make them economically unviable for poultry farmers. If this breed is to regain its market share, it requires significant genetic and production efficiency improvements.
Characteristics of Arian Broiler Chickens Compared to Cobb and Other Breeds
The Arian chicken exhibits lower performance compared to breeds such as Ross, Cobb, Arbor Acres, and Hubbard.
- Slower weight gain
- Higher feed conversion ratio
- Lower carcass quality
- Higher protein consumption
- Lower weight gain: Approximately 20% lower weight gain compared to competitors. (The average weight of the Arian breed at 35 days is 1300 grams, at 42 days 1800 grams, and at 56 days, a maximum of 2800 grams.)
- Lower flock uniformity compared to other breeds.
- Due to the small size of Arian chicks, the meat is primarily suitable for grilling.
Article: A Comprehensive Guide to Cobb Breed Varieties and Rearing Methods
Comparison and Differentiation of Arian and Ross 308 Breeds
A study published in the Journal of Animal Science compared the Ross and Arian broiler breeds, revealing that the Ross breed exhibits superior production characteristics compared to the Arian broiler. This research indicated that under identical feeding conditions, the carcass and meat yield of the Ross chicken are significantly higher than that of the Arian chicken. Furthermore, the percentage of abdominal fat and viscera was significantly lower in the Ross chicken.
Another noteworthy finding highlighted in the article was the impact of starter diet optimization on broiler performance. The studies showed that a prolonged use of starter diets led to improved performance in both strains.
In general, numerous studies have compared the performance of the Arian and Ross 308 breeds. These results indicate that the Ross 308 breed demonstrates higher weight gain and production index throughout the entire rearing period, along with a better feed conversion ratio. However, the Arian breed exhibits a higher rate of weight gain during the first two weeks of rearing. Additionally, carcass yield and relative gizzard weight are higher in the Arian breed.
These differences can be attributed to genetic and physiological variations between the two breeds.
Article: A Comprehensive Guide to Ross Breed Varieties and Rearing Methods
Optimal Feed for Arian Chickens
As mentioned in the previous section, using prepared feed with a prolonged starter period is more beneficial for broiler chickens. In general, the nutrition of broiler chickens should vary at different stages of growth, both in terms of size and consumed materials. Each growth period requires precise analysis and specific formulation for the broiler’s diet to achieve optimal performance and prevent disease outbreaks in the flock. Additionally, Arian chickens consume more protein than Ross chickens. Therefore, using the appropriate feed is crucial.
Jahan Kaveh Company is a leading producer of broiler feed with a unique formulation.
One of Jahan Kaveh Company’s affiliated farms achieved a weight of 3160 grams for Arian broilers. This complete feed is designed for four growth stages. The starter period of Jahan Kaveh broiler feed is divided into two phases: super starter and starter. Subsequently, the broiler undergoes two grower phases (grower one and grower two). Using Jahan Kaveh’s formulation, the average weight of Arian chickens at 48 days was 3160 grams, and the average live weight at 42 days was 2500 grams. Below is a performance table of Arian chickens at this farm using Jahan Kaveh’s broiler feed.
This is significant because the feed formulation is meticulously designed for each growth period of Arian broilers to achieve the best performance and minimize carcass yield loss for poultry farms.
Article: Click Here to Learn More About Broiler Chicken Feed Consumption
Diseases More Prone to Affect Arian Chickens
Generally, broiler chickens are susceptible to diseases such as Newcastle disease, ascites, avian influenza, bronchitis, and Gumboro disease. However, Arian chicks are more likely to be affected and experience higher mortality rates compared to other breeds. Additionally, the Arian broiler breed exhibits higher aggression compared to other breeds, increasing the likelihood of cannibalism in this breed.
Arian Breed Improvement: A Necessity
The Arian chicken breed, once a leader in the domestic market, has fallen behind its competitors due to a lack of genetic updating and breeding improvement. In the current situation, despite government support, there are numerous challenges to reviving this breed.
Studies indicate that the Arian chicken’s share in supplying the country’s grandparent stock is 47%, but this share drops to only 10% in day-old chick production. The reason for this decline is the low quality of the Arian breed and the lack of interest from poultry farmers.
If the Arian chicken is to regain its market share, it requires scientific research, genetic improvement, and increased production efficiency.
How to Reduce the Likelihood of Disease in Arian Chicks
One of the most crucial aspects of broiler chickens rearing is vaccination throughout the growth period. Successful chicken vaccination is a key factor in maintaining a healthy flock. Alongside effective vaccination, attention to temperature, hall lighting, and the air ventilation system are other critical factors in rearing.
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