HELP!!! OMG! HELP ME!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!

[Nifty-Chicken]

The only reason I didn't freak out was because it was in the feedback section and I knew she wouldn't post it in here if she really did need help (oh, and it isn't her nature to post something like that anyway.).

I'm giving the BYC staff the authority / permission to edit thread titles like this and change it into something more... um... subdued, especially if the thread isn't a 911 emergency. When the staff do this they will either PM the member a link to this thread or will post a note in the thread with a link to this thread.

 

[cockadoodlemom]

yep what MissPrissy said and the "don't even want to click on" one too

 

[JennsPeeps]

So glad you posted this! Inaccurate titles for threads have been a consistent challenge lately.

I've been posting more "try the search feature" responses.

 

[AHappychick]

maybe I am taking this too personally and for that I am sorry, but...

I searched the disease section in the learning center and it is still under construction. I always consult my books, maybe I should get more.... I googled the problem and so many things come up often with different information. I try to do searches of other posts and sometimes spend a hour searching through them not finding answers to my specific questions.

I understand that info should be in the title that is a give in and should be a rule, but here is where I get that yucky feeling in my gut.

You all seem to want BYC to grow, well with growth and the new popularity of chickens there are going to be many similar threads. There are those of us who are trying to learn as well go and some of us who try to avoid going to the vet if we can. I dont know how much it costs for you but it is over $75 for me just to walk through the door.

I guess it would be annoying to see the same type of posts if I had been on BYC for years like you all but again if you want to only talk to those knowledgeable about all things chicken this should be a private forum and not allow newbies.

I am not trying to pick a fight but it is clear there is a pecking order here at BYC and those who have been here a long time seem to get away with a lot more questions and get a lot more responses even when they are worded almost exactly the same as a new member.

Usually for me when there is an emergency I find it hard to digest all of the pages of information that I pull up because I am in panic mode and not thinking clearly. For me the best help is the kind person who takes the time to tell me what to do, with out a lot of jargon or big words. I thought that is what BYC was all about.

Again I understand the reasoning of your post and do not expect people to come a running just because I asked but wow. I, like everyone else, thought you needed help and clicked right away even though I would be lucky if I could say I have 1% of the knowledge you have on chickens miss prissy I clicked anyway knowing that I probably would not be able to help at all.

Frankly it sounds like you guys are getting a little jaded and forgetting what it is like to be new or be learning, I dont know maybe you are all just smarter than I and know how to search posts better. Maybe it would be more helpful for us annoying members to have a few more stickies on the posts that has a lot of good responces that way they would be easily found and you would feel less bothered. The 2 stickies are great and have great links but maybe making a few actual BYC posts sticky would help. I have found that there is more answers in the older posts but they come up last in the pages of the searches and often are very hard to sift through and find.

Just my opinion and you know what they say about those...every body has one!

edited to say that I personally always try to put the problem in the title, not just Help!!! and DO think it should be a rule, and no I do not think it is anyones job to answer expecially the staff here at BYC it just made me sad that becasuse someone did not post the way you wanted or about a subject that has been gone over before that it makes you want to verbalize that you do not not even want to open it up or help.

as for pm boxes wow that is a lot miss prissy and I can completely understand how exhausting it must be

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

AHappychick, that is great feedback and we've always tried to find the balance between getting people the help they need when they need it, but also encouraging people to also do as much homework as possible before they get chickens and also to not only rely on the forum for their support.

We want to always have newbies feel comfortable asking questions... even ones they think are "dumb". BYC absolutely works on a "Pay It Forward" system where everyone, even those only here a week, can turn around and point other peeps even newer to the right information.

Keep in mind that we see the extremes here at BYC... people that know almost everything and go way out of their way to help hundreds of people a week vs. some that have literally posted, "I know the information is out there but I just don't feel like searching for it, so can you find it and post a reply with the information?"

We will always want newbies to feel accepted and comfortable posting questions. We just want to also encourage them to use the search tools and read the FAQ's. Now, to your point, we definitely need to do a better job of collecting and organizing information. This is one reason we created the BYC Page Creator tool, so members could gather information that we could then organize and present in the BYC Learning Center or have in the FAQ section.

I think the #1 point here is that everyone must have very detailed and specific thread subjects without all the caps and exclamations.

 

[MissPrissy]

Here's the thing. No one here has to offer advise or help. It is given so that more people can learn and help themselves with their chickens.

If you have an issue with your chickens state the issue. Don't cry help and not even give a clue of what the problem is.

Help!!! OMG!!! Help!!! for a title and when it opened it says - my hen ate a frog will she die? Is not an emergency.

Don't you think a better title would be - "My hen ate a frog".

I don't mind helping with real problems. I do mind people feeling as if I am obligated to have a mirale cure ready and available at an instant notice any time and every time they post on the the forum.

Would you like to answer my PM box daily?

The last time Rob had to use his magic powers and empty for me I had 5600 plus issues I had dealt with for people screaming "Hellppp!!!!".

That is not jaded. That is help us help you because I can't keep up any longer and at this load I may stop helping altogether as it isa crushing and weighty responsiblity for people to load me up with.

Don't forget I have my own flocks (plural - yes, I have several) and herds to deal with daily and I and any number hundred of other members can't carry the load of your flock as well.

Again, please, help us help you by being as exact and to the point as possible.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Funny thing is I usually ignore such titles, the only reason I opened it was because it was by MP. I have to agree there are better ways to get help. And for crying out loud use the SEARCH before you post!

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

MP, remember my new rule for staff, you guys need to force people that PM you for help to post their questions on the forum! Teach them to fish (post in the public forum) and don't give them the fish (pm with an answer that only helps them and not the community).

The staff's job is not to answer questions about raising chickens, but to help keep this machine running smoothly. We're just lucky to have such wonderfully helpful and knowledgeable staff that also frequently help with chicken questions.

 

[MissPrissy]

That is one reason I posted this, Nifty. I think this is my public declaration that I am struggling to keep up some days. I also feel bad when people need quick help and ask me what to do and I end up typing PM's most of the morning or afternoon.

 

[Guitartists]

I have found the BYC to be priceless when it comes to finding answers... and the Search engine here is my new best friend

I agree that too many titles are too vague and the people who have limited time or expertise will often overlook a post because of this. If you post the issue IN the title... you are far more likely to pull in folks who actually have something to say on the matter instead of a bunch of folks who are either caring or curious but have no answers for you.