<p>Suplementación vitamínica y mineral para la mejora de la reproducción del quebrantahuesos (<em>Gypaetus barbatus</em>) en el Pirineo central</p>

Abstract

A supplementary feeding programme was conducted between 2020 and 2023 with 10 bearded vulture breeding pairs (BPs) in the Central Pyrenees (Aragón), providing 2800 kilograms of bones to which a vitamin and mineral supplement was applied. During these four years, samples of 39 eggs and 1 chick were collected from rescues carried out on 19 bearded vulture BPs. Supplementary feeding was provided for 5 BPs, and 24 eggs from 14 rescued BPs and 14 chicks born from the rescue of 9 BPs were analysed. We determined to what extent the supplemented BPs absorbed the supplements and whether the supplementary feedings had significant effects on the survival of the chicks. The results show a satisfactory intake, tolerance and assimilation of the supplements used, resulting in higher levels of vitamins A and E, carotenes, and calcium; greater weight and size of eggs and neonates; and improved conversion rates, immunomodulation, stress tolerance, and quality of shell ultrastructure.