A community forum's ability to be effective at providing help is only as good as how well the information is organized. That being the case, please make sure you follow these few small but VERY important policies:
Try Searching First
BYC has over 5 MILLION posts... that's a LOT of information. We have some very powerful search tools and encourage you to start by searching for existing questions and answers. In some cases you'll find the exact answer you're looking for. In other cases you'll find existing topics / discussion threads where you can jump right in and participate.
Put your question or post in the appropriate forum
We have many very detailed sections of our forum. Please familiarize yourself with the list and post your questions in the appropriate section. If you post in the wrong section it only causes more work for our staff to have to move topics to the correct section.
Make Detailed Subjects / Titles
You might be tempted to start a topic with "PLEASE HELP!!!" Unfortunately, that doesn't help anybody to help you.
You should fill the subject line of your new topic with as much information as can fit! For example, you'll be helping the community help you if instead of a subject like: "EMERGENCY HELP" you instead say something like "Hen's leg caught in a rat trap - Leg not broken but bleeding"
Add As Much Info As Possible
If you're having problems, especially an emergency with a sick chicken, add as much information and detail as possible. The more information you provide, the better chances you'll have of getting the help you need! Think of it like you're going into the doctor with a problem. If you just say "I don't feel well", the doctor probably won't be able to help you much... but if you list all your symptoms, when / how they started, what you've tried, etc., then you'll probably have more success.
Please remember, if your posts aren't getting a response, it could be for a TON of different reasons. Usually having very detailed subjects and posting additional information and details about the situation will often help get a reply.
Following these simple steps will help you get the information you need faster and will make it easier for you and many others to get the help they need.
A huge "THANK YOU" to everyone of our members that have been following these practices over the years and have helped make BYC such a wonderful place to get the help they need!
Try Searching First
BYC has over 5 MILLION posts... that's a LOT of information. We have some very powerful search tools and encourage you to start by searching for existing questions and answers. In some cases you'll find the exact answer you're looking for. In other cases you'll find existing topics / discussion threads where you can jump right in and participate.
Put your question or post in the appropriate forum
We have many very detailed sections of our forum. Please familiarize yourself with the list and post your questions in the appropriate section. If you post in the wrong section it only causes more work for our staff to have to move topics to the correct section.
Make Detailed Subjects / Titles
You might be tempted to start a topic with "PLEASE HELP!!!" Unfortunately, that doesn't help anybody to help you.

Add As Much Info As Possible
If you're having problems, especially an emergency with a sick chicken, add as much information and detail as possible. The more information you provide, the better chances you'll have of getting the help you need! Think of it like you're going into the doctor with a problem. If you just say "I don't feel well", the doctor probably won't be able to help you much... but if you list all your symptoms, when / how they started, what you've tried, etc., then you'll probably have more success.
Please remember, if your posts aren't getting a response, it could be for a TON of different reasons. Usually having very detailed subjects and posting additional information and details about the situation will often help get a reply.
Following these simple steps will help you get the information you need faster and will make it easier for you and many others to get the help they need.
A huge "THANK YOU" to everyone of our members that have been following these practices over the years and have helped make BYC such a wonderful place to get the help they need!
Last edited: