I took this shot for yesterday’s post and forgot to show it to you. It is across the bonnet of the Free Green Dodge truck and out its back window. I know this is kind of abstract but I find it really appealing.
Because I am going away for a few days I am making lists for Our John. He likes to have a list. But before we start on any list we need to know the Why of the list. The fundamental list. The basics. I have tried to create a kind of mantra for him to work by. 
- Animal
- Mineral.
- Vegetable
- Water
- Sunshine
- Contentment
- Intuition
- Cleanliness
1. Every animal needs to live with another animal. Any kind of animal will do. As long as he or she has another heartbeat in there with him.
2. Every animal needs their minerals. In the red buckets hooked to the fences is the loose mineral. Do not let this run out. If you take animals to a new area, take the minerals too. Each animal has a different mineral mix.
3. All the animals need access to fresh grass and dry feed and vegetables. So make sure they have good grass and legumes, dry hay and some seeds every day. Think protein levels and variety.
4. Keep all water barrels clean and filled in each paddock and enclosure. All animals, birds and insects need fresh water so fill the assortment of dishes and bowls in the gardens for the birds and bees as well. And around the barn, fill the buckets and pots for the chickens, dogs, cats and Kupa. 
6. Sunshine. All animals, and birds need access to natural light. Mama and her babies can come into the barn at night, but open their door to the field in the early morning. All animals and birds need sunshine. Check that your fences are secure.
7. Contentment. Check your animals and birds every day for contentment. Ask yourself how they look. Look at their faces, are they looking back and holding their heads up. Look in their eyes. Are they bright? Look at their bottoms. Are they peeing and pooing normally? Many signs of health troubles will show up in the rear first, so don’t be shy. Look at their feed, are they clearing their plates. Are they content and healthy. These two things do go together. Contentment and health.
8. Intuition. If you feel worried about an animal then you probably should be worried. Investigate. Trust yourself.
9. Cleanliness is paramount when you are working with more than one code of animal. We have Pigs, Sheep, Cows, Chickens, Cats, Dogs, Guineas, The Peacock and Bees. So make sure you do not carry germs from one to the other. What is fine for a cow might make a pig sick. Wash your hands and the soles of your boots frequently during the day.
Good Morning. This is the first list for John. It is hard to write what I do for someone else. So if I have missed something sing out. Let me know. You do this with me every day too you know. You are my workmates. The day to day list is much simpler to write than the mantra. Or maybe not. I will do that today.
I know I am only going away for a long weekend, but farming without chemicals means you HAVE to be ahead of the game all the time. You have seen how fast it falls apart when I miss something.
We had such a calm day yesterday it was almost unnerving without the wind. Almost. Mostly it was glorious. I was able to achieve so much more. And eating outside in the calm evening is wonderful. I added radishes and closed chive flowers to the roasting veges. Divine!
Now off to work for all of us! Good morning!
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
79 responses to “The Fundamentals of Working with Animals. My Mantra.”
I love the sky through window image! It’s a great list, straightforward and to nthe point yet so profound. I think humans need sunshine too, we’re having some right manky weather at the mo. 🙂
I love your life.
LOVE the first pic C! You have it all covered in your list there, maybe throw in a bit of love just for good measure and I think you have the perfect formula.
Have a fabulous time away – I am also jetting off for a week with the family.
Have a happy day.
🙂 Mandy
I thought about love and settled for contentment which would be the result of loving care I hope. Because love is so nefarious. It is hard to hold down, you cannot teach it. have a lovely time with your family! Thank you Mandy.. c
What a wise woman you are – and your animals are so blessed to have you as their care-taker. I love your photos; as always you capture the magic in every subject. Have a wonderful time on your short time away and good luck to John as he tries to fill your shoes. Incidentally, I can’t live without lists.
John is taking time off from his other job – right? Could he perhaps blog about the machinery and the functions and history … with pictures 🙂 Oooh keep the Spring photo’s coming. Temps dipped serioulsy low today sending us all scabbling for our winter woollies, Jack Frost is coming 😦
I need your pragmaticness!
Have a good weekend, I reckon your list could equally apply to humans too – brilliant 🙂
and I love the opening photo !
trust your gutt! that is my mantra!!!
Good morning, Celi. A to-do list with reasons and rationales! I hope John and the animals do well during your California adventure.
i absolutely love the picture through the truck! amazing!
Good morning! c
Yes, indeed a great list for all of us. I have been feeling lost lately, and perhaps it is because I have been not making lists as I used to. Thanks for the reminder and enjoy your journey.
It does help me to have a list when i work, it is like an anchor.. c
Love lists and particularly love your list here…a lot of common sense, experience and heart went into it. (Those teaching skills are still paying off: Begin with an overview, break it down into manageable pieces and recap. Mnemonics perhaps for the mantra? animal, mineral, vegetable > easy; then WSCIC?).
You’ve made it easy for them, enjoy your visit. – Nik
Ues, i am an old teacher too! (laughter) we never give up do we!!! love the WSCIC .. even i can remember that!! c
I guess to write a list for someone else you have to imagine them trying to walk in your shoes for the day, just like a novelist might try to walk in the shoes of his or her character mentally for a day to get the feel for them. 😉 Have a lovely trip!
That is a very astute observation and one I must use when i write the day to day list for him..c
That’s a wonderful first photo, C! And look at that strawberry patch:)