Dagnabbit!!!! education before birds is a must

[robin416]

New folks with questions are certainly not the issue.

New people with new chicks that were an impulse buy, its Saturday evening and there is no chick food or chicken feed or a way to keep them warm or a waterer they won't drown in and asking what can they do is the issue. Cynthia is right, we've had phone conversations about this subject on several occassions and instead of it appearing to slow down it seems to be picking up.

The birds that are going to do the best are the ones that belong to owners who found this or other boards first. Asked questions, read until their eyes crossed and then went to pick up their new babies. They are the birds that will not be dead before the owner recognized a problem. They are the birds that several of you are going to own in a short period of time.

 

[w8tn4fresheggs]

I can see the issue both ways. Been on both sides.

I believe that you should be prepared.

I knew a year ago that I wanted chickens to be a part of my life. I have followed BYC for at least that long, read books and continually learn more every week. Finally ordered chicks and it been nothing but FUN!

That being said, it does happen that people buy on impulse.

How about when someone finds the site that they have a big sections that says, "Have questions for others?, search here first".

Then have a sentence or two explaining how to type in the info you want, like brooders set up. Tell them to type brooder. I know it sounds simple enough, but some don't know what to do. Or where to find it.

I know there is a section to read about getting chickens etc, but I think people want to read and hear what everyone else is doing.

Then again, maybe that is there way to get started and to connect. I didn't post for the longest time. Even now it is intimidating to me at times. Wanted to not offend or step on someones toes. But I wanted to be a part of this site and being a newbie I needed to ask questions. I took a chance.

If I would have seen this post it would have scared me as a newbie, like I am not accepted and too stupid to be here. Now that I have been here awhile I have noticed it too and I wonder what these people are thinking. I either answer or just go to the next question. I also think of the birds.

They need to learn about the SEARCH BUTTON and have fun doing it. See if they can find the answer. Also read all the info that is on the main page. Search the Internet, tons of articles there. Then if it isn't answered come and ask questions. Even if it is there, ask some more questions. That is what this site is here for. It is a way for some of us to connect. Take a chance.

I see it both ways. Been on both sides.

 

[wolfpack62001]

Welcome to BYC Mary
Hope your feeling better
That was a very good Idea that you had, and your post was great!
Hope to hear from you more on here.
Todd

 

[Critter Crazy]

I have to agree. It is just like getting any onther animal, research needs to be done first! I researched for a whole year before egtting my chickens. We had our coop pretty much done, just finished a few things while the chicks were inside in the brooders. I made my own brooders, made sure we knew what food was best for what age bird ect.....If I had not done the reasearch I would have been lost, as It is alot harder than what you would think. Even after researching for a whole year, there was/is still many things that we learn each day. I love my chickens, and would not have done it any other way.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I'm going to keep this short, because I don't want to add to the tension here

.

It would be nice if research was done prior to purchase, but sometimes it's not. Is it so hard to post a link to the information on this website?

I really hate it when I see new people attacked. Yeah, maybe they didn't do their research. Maybe that isn't the way I do things. But I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt. And w8tn4babychicks, I, too, sometimes feel intimidated. I've started numerous posts than deleted them. At times some people on this board seem like they feel that unless you understand exactly what you are doing then you shouldn't be allowed past the door.

Can't we all try to be a little more patient? Maybe we could ask our moderators to stick a sticky on the top with the weblink for 'First 60 days' webpage?

-Meg

 

[4H kids and mom]

IMO, she wasn't being rude. It's the truth. People really need to think things over and educate themselves before they bring ANY animal home.

I have to say I agree, too, on SOME aspects. Back when I bred and raised parrots, I also had chance to take (err, had dumped on my doorstep in one instance) in several 'rescue' parrots that had been obtained on a "whim". The people loved how pretty they were, or that they spoke to them, or they were free, or whatever it was, but they had no idea that parrots can also be messy, noisy, sometimes down right obnoxious creatures (sorry, my JB is on lock down for bitin' her Mama real good tonight so I'm still peeved at her)! I ended up with several of these completely BALD (parrots pluck their feathers out when their needs aren't met, either physically, mentally, socially, or emotionally) in need of any multitude of things, from the most basic care (one large parrot was being housed in a parakeet cage!) to extreme handling, conditioning work, and some were so severly 'damaged' by their ordeal that I had to place them with zoos or sancuaries where they could live as close to "free" as possible without human interferance.

As far as the chickens go, I by no means an "expert". BUT I also don't really see anyone else here as one either (no offence!) We are all just going on our own experiences- some have more than others, and what makes one person an 'expert' to a newbie, might be the same old same old to someone else.

I'd just like to add that I agree with parts of ALL of your posts. I think people should be educated before they bring home an animal, HOWEVER it DOES say alot for them that they are online seeking advice and help once they've aquired said animal, wether educated beforehand or not. I also see things from a rescuers point of view. We have seen first hand what the lack of education can do to poor helpless souls and we often jump up angrily and defend them when we see even a 'possible' situation where an animals life may be in danger or at stake due to lack of education. I am quite guilty of this at times. I know others are too. We all love our animals. Wether furred, or feathered, scaled, or finned....each of us cares for them like our own children and we that come to a Chicken Haven such as this one, seek to better our knowledge, and learn from the "experts" on how to better care for them, nurture them, love them...even if they were dumped on us, or we bought them on a whim because they were cute, or we researched them for months before buying them.....we've all come here for the same reason, and THAT is what we need to keep in mind.​

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Karen,
Thanks!
I think you just made THE point,

"I'm sure someone answered your questions with a smile at some point."​

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Quote:
Well said.

Personally, I've been intimidated here at times. Overall, though, BYC is an exceptionally friendly and well-maintained site that I have come to on a daily basis since getting my first chicks for help as well as for fun. I have been awed and amazed many times at the 'small town' feel here. I've likened it to the ease and comfort of leaning on the fence, chatting with neighbors. I didn't bring home my first chicks without the basics for their care, but I did bring them home without an expert level of knowledge on all things poultry. I have learned far more than I ever knew one could learn about chicks in the past month or so. And I learned it all here. I've also learned that I will never know it all.

I do agree that the same old basic-care questions get old. It sometimes makes you just want to shout 'USE THE SEARCH FEATURE', but I've actually cooled my temper at these types of posts, because I have noticed that it is just not the way things are done here on BYC. I've learned by example- the example all of you long-timers and even the not-so-long-timers have set.

If we can all just keep our patience and helpful spirit, this community will only grow to be even better than it is now. I, for one, hope to become a productive and helpful member of the site, if for no other reason than to 'pay forward' the kindness and generosity I have seen here.

There will always be the unfortunate circumstance where we will basically have to 'watch' through the posts, a bird or birds being mistreated either due to plain 'ol neglect or to 'poultry-care challenged' individuals. All we can really do is hope to draw another noob in and inspire him/her to stay, learn, enjoy and contribute to the site.

 

[Chicken_Addict]

Ok i am not meaning to be hateful but i want to say my piece too.....I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE...and all of the nice people on here helped me learn isnt this the whole purpose in this site? to help each other not post rude comments dissing the way others do thing? im sure not everyone agrees with you i for one dont! like i said im not trying to be hateful i do agree that some people are wrong as in the ones who buy them for easter and end up just getting rid of them now that i will say is wrong i agree a chicken is a pet/livestock whatever u wanna call it and is pretty much equal to a human being but i just want you to know that not all people who have no clue when they get chicks are wrong my chickens are fat and sassy and living the good life thanks to everyone on here helping me and if i remember right my first post was Got my first chickens now what??

 

[CarriBrown]

mom'sfolly :

I'm sorry you get frustrated with the newbies and hearing the same questions over and over, but I'm sure someone answered your questions with a smile at some point.

Of course new people are going to have questions, and that's fine. Better for them to ask than not. And you're right, we've all been newbies at one point.
However, I believe she is frustrated at the people who post something along the lines of, "I bought new chicks! What do I feed them?" I can't speak for anyone else, but THAT is the type of thing that frustrates me.
I just think that if you're going to buy an animal, you should at least take the time to find out exactly what you'll need to provide a good home for it, ie. What it eats, what it's housing needs are, etc.​