Influence of eggshell density of fertile eggs and infectious bronchitis virus on performance and sanitary parameters...

1. The study evaluated the influence of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) and eggshell density (as strength and thickness) of fertile eggs on performance and hatchery and sanitary parameters of embryos and broilers.2. Normal and thin eggshells density of fertile eggs from two broiler farms were used, one positive for IBV and the other negative, totalling 5,848 eggs, distributed into four treatments in a factorial arrangement, with two eggshell densities (normal and thin) and two IBV diagnostics (positive and negative).3. Normal-shelled eggs had a higher percentage of hatchability, a lower percentage of culled chicks (due to initial and intermediate mortality) and bacterial or fungal contamination (p < 0.05).4. Eggs from IBV-positive breeders showed reduced hatchability (p < 0.05), higher percentages of culled chicks, bacterial or fungal contamination and mortality (p < 0.05).5. The eggshell density and the presence of the IBV impacted hatchability, embryo mortality rates and performance (weight gain, body weight, feed conversion ratio and broiler mortality).