"The wise shepherd watches his herd, for animals speak without words."

Long before modern science, indigenous farmers and herders relied on the instincts of their animals to predict weather, detect poisonous plants, and even diagnose sickness. Today, many overlook these natural warning systems, yet cattle, goats, pigs, donkeys, and even roosters still communicate in ways that can teach, warn, and guide those who pay attention.

The question is, do we listen?

1. How Animals Know a Plant Is Poisonous

"A goat that eats everything learns which leaf can kill."

In the wild, animals rarely eat something that will poison them. But how do they know?

Smell & Taste Memory  Cattle, goats, and pigs use their strong sense of smell to detect chemical compounds in plants. If a plant smells "wrong," they avoid it. Some plants produce bitter alkaloids when stressed, signaling toxicity.

Observational Learning  Young animals learn by watching. A kid goat follows its mother, eating only what she eats. If an elder animal rejects a plant, the younger ones do the same.

First Bite Caution  Goats and donkeys often take a small nibble, wait, then decide. If the plant causes discomfort, they remember and avoid it forever.

Survival Instincts  When food is scarce, animals are more likely to eat toxic plants. But in healthy pastures, they naturally choose what is best. Pigs, with their sharp noses, root up only the safest tubers, while donkeys instinctively avoid nightshade plants.

Farmers who force-feed their animals or limit their grazing diversity break this natural wisdom, leading to more poisoning cases. Let animals graze wisely, and they will guide themselves.

2. How Animals Sense a Storm Before It Arrives

"The cattle lift their heads, the birds fall silent something is coming."

Before a storm, the natural world changes. Animals sense it long before humans do:

Cattle & Goats  They stop grazing and look to the sky. Some gather close together, a sign that they feel the pressure drop. Goats run for shelter early, sometimes hours before the first raindrop.

Pigs  With their sensitive ears, pigs detect low-frequency sounds of distant thunder long before humans do. Before a big storm, pigs often dig into the soil or straw, preparing to "ride it out."

Donkeys  Known for their stubbornness, donkeys refuse to move if they sense an approaching storm. They may seek higher ground or turn their backs to the wind.

Roosters & Birds  Silence is a warning. Just before heavy rain or a storm, even the noisiest rooster crows less or stops entirely. Small birds disappear into trees, signaling that danger is near.

In indigenous traditions, observing when cattle stand still, when birds go quiet, or when goats hurry home was a reliable way to predict heavy rains, long before modern weather forecasts.

3. How Animals Detect Sickness in Each Other

"A sick animal is never alone—the herd knows before the farmer does."

Livestock can tell when another is unwell, sometimes days before humans notice symptoms.

Cattle & Goats  When a cow is sick, others may lick or nuzzle it, a form of comfort. If a goat senses illness, it may stay close to the sick one or push it gently to move.

Pigs – Highly intelligent, pigs can recognize small changes in another pig's breathing, posture, or movement. If one pig isolates itself, refuses food, or moves sluggishly, the others notice immediately.

Donkeys – Known for their deep emotional intelligence, donkeys often stand guard near a sick herd member. A donkey will also bray loudly if it senses distress, calling attention to the weak animal.

Roosters & Chickens  Chickens are harsh but practical. A sick hen is often pushed away by the flocknot out of cruelty, but instinct. This prevents disease from spreading. A rooster, however, may stay near his sick hens, offering protection.

Farmers who observe these behaviors can catch sickness early long before modern medicine would detect it.

4. The Deep Wisdom of Indigenous Farming

"Before the vet, before the scientist, there was the farmer who watched and listened."

Ancient farming traditions depended on reading the signs of animals and nature:

Early Warning System  If cattle avoid a grazing spot, the farmer knows to check the plants.

Weather Predictions  When birds go silent, or pigs bury themselves in straw, the storm is coming.

Healing Practices  When goats eat specific herbs while sick, the farmer learns which plants have medicinal properties.

Trusting Instincts  If a donkey refuses to move, the farmer reconsiders the road ahead perhaps danger lies there.

Today’s world pushes for lab tests, synthetic drugs, and factory farming, yet nature’s old wisdom still holds true. The best farmers don’t just raise animals they understand them.

5. The Call to Return to Nature’s Wisdom

"The land speaks through its animals—those who listen will never be lost."

The best farmers in history were not the ones with the most money, the most technology, or the most chemicals they were the ones who understood their animals, their plants, and the land itself.

How to Start Listening Again:

Observe your animals daily – Watch their behavior, not just their feeding.

 Let livestock graze naturally .They will choose the right diet if given the chance.

Respect their warnings – If pigs refuse food or cattle stop moving, investigate before it's too late.

Use them as weather forecasters – When roosters go silent or goats hurry to shelter, a storm is coming.

Trust their instincts – A donkey that refuses a path may sense danger you don’t see.

A true farmer does not just work the land—they learn from it.

The wisdom of nature is already there, waiting for those who take the time to watch, listen, and respect the silent language of animals.

By Tafadzwa Charles Ziwa.