Questions about food in Spain

[Cincin]

Hello everyone! Greetings from Spain! I have three male ducks, about a year and a half old, and I'm wondering about changing their feed/pellets.

Since they arrived as ducklings, they've been eating Camper Starter brand pellets. But I think I should switch to something different. The thing is, Camper has 24% protein, and the other pellet I've seen from VerseleLaga has only 16%, which seems like a huge drop. What protein percentage would be ideal (approximately)?

They live freely in my garden and seem very healthy. They have their pellets all day (with nutritional yeast for one or two weeks a month), and every morning they get fresh food: peas (always) with a mixed salad with 2 or 3 of lettuce, corn, zucchini, broccoli, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, carrots, lamb's lettuce, kale, apple... almost any fresh vegetable I have on hand except tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, or onions.

They have free access to grass, slugs, ants, or whatever they can find.

I think I'm doing well, but I'm worried about making a mistake with their feed in the long run.

Here in Spain, it's difficult to find good duck pellets; they're quite mistreated and undervalued animals, unfortunately.

Any suggestions? Thanks a million in advance, and if I can, I'll upload some photos tomorrow so you can see them!

 

[casportpony]

Maybe @Shadrach can offer some advice.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Any suggestions?

The pellets you are currently feeding your drakes are for ducklings (it is in the name : "Starter") - NOT for adult ducks.
...Which is why their proteins level is so high!

In your place, I would just stop feeding your boys Starter pellets...
...and instead, I would give them : a mix of wheat and duck pellets in a feeder, and Oyster Shell Grit in another feeder.

Thanks a million in advance, and if I can, I'll upload some photos tomorrow so you can see them!

Please, do (post pictures of your drakes)!

 

[Cincin]

Hi.



The pellets you are currently feeding your drakes are for ducklings (it is in the name : "Starter") - NOT for adult ducks.
...Which is why their proteins level is so high!

In your place, I would just stop feeding your boys Starter pellets...
...and instead, I would give them : a mix of wheat and duck pellets in a feeder, and Oyster Shell Grit in another feeder.



Please, do (post pictures of your drakes)!

Thanks for your comment! Is a feed with 16% protein okay even if the percentage drops so suddenly? And for wheat, is it better whole or ground? Big hug!

 

[Shadrach]

Spain is a big place. Whereabouts in Spain are you?
With the conditions you state a feed of 16% protein should be fine.
As Papaye mentions the feed at 24% is for ducklings not adults.
Whole wheat would be my choice.
I found there was a greater range of decent quality feeds in Catalonia where I used to live than what I can find in the UK. In Northern Spain you should be able to find feed suppliers that will mix a feed for you.