Aviagen Company

As one of the world's largest poultry-breeding operations, Aviagen knows that the egg probably came first, but it is chicks that sell best. Comprising two units (broiler/breeder and turkey), Aviagen sells day-old parent and grandparent chicks for the production of commercial chicken broilers and turkeys. Its chicken brands include Arbor Acres, Indian River, and Ross; its turkey brands are Nicholas and British United Turkeys (B.U.T.) The company also offers biosecurity programs for poultry operations that designed to keep pathogens out of the food chain. Aviagen has customers worldwide and is owned by the privately owned German holding company, the EW GROUP.

Aviagen expanded its business in late 2011 through the purchase of Holly Berry Hatcheries. The move builds on the company's existing presence in the farm fresh and specialty sector of the turkey supply chain. As part of the transaction, Holly Berry Hatcheries, which enjoys a hefty market share, operates as a separate company alongside Aviagen Turkey's Hockenhull Turkeys banner.