Each morning, after breakfast and before school, the kids go out and do their morning chores, which includes feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, watering the garden and feeding the ducks. We started out with 2 ridiculously handsome Pekin ducklings and 1 Khaki Campbell duckling but lost one of the Pekin to either an eagle or hawk.

We can now tell that Nibbles (the brown Khaki Campbell) is a boy (he quacks) and Duckie Momo (the white Pekin) is a girl (she squeaks like a broken squeaky toy). They are quite the characters. Nibbles is actually a bit more skittish – he still won’t eat out of my hand and I’ve never been able to even touch him. Duckie Momo, on the other hand, is fat, loud, waddle/runs straight to you and pester you for some food. She’s clearly the dominant one.

Yesterday morning, I went out to feed them and they both come running, quacking.

Duckie Momo always is first. Nibbles just a few steps behind.

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Starts pecking at my boot and immediately dives her face in the feed scoop in my hand.

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“WHAT???! Duckie Momo! Why do you have white feathers all over your bill? Who have you been making out with!???? ARE YOU CHEATING ON NIBBLES???!!

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Oh you cheating little whore!

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The hens are still doing great – we’ve been keeping the hens separate from the ducks, but I think it’s time for integration, so that the hens have a lot more room to run around in and also stay out of my precious garden. They prefer the taste of micro-greens and baby bok choy to weeds and grass. I can’t blame them ….I would too!

We’re still getting around 8 eggs per day – the perfect amount for our family. I can’t wait for Duckie Momo to start laying eggs too so that we can have both chicken and duck eggs.

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Recently, all of the photos of the hens make them look really pissed off.

Please, just smile for Mama?

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Scott’s been busy building his greenhouse for the aquaponics garden. We’ve been harvesting tons of beans, Thai basil, Italian basil, edamame, Japanese shishito peppers, Chinese eggplant.

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The koi fish have relocated to a much larger home. This swimming pool tank holds 1,000 gallons of water!

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Lastly, Coco is doing just fine.

Right after Buster passed away, Coco began exhibiting similar symptoms as Buster – our greatest fear was that Coco also had the same disease. Her blood test results came back negative for Pythiosis (thank goodness!) and she’s back to her normal self. We’re hoping to get her a new best friend in November, after we return from a family trip to Hong Kong and Japan.

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