What is the purpose of backyard chickens?

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:

Same here. I used to be very involved on a local community forum but there were no mods and it got very nasty at times. Got sick of the middle school-like squabbles too, so I came here. It's really nice having people from other countries on here - it isn't just a local forum, it's global!


Love this place, Nifty!!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
ROTFL. It is so true, though. There is a very large random element to who happens to be online at the moment (meaning 'anytime that day') and happens to pop into the section in which you posted your question and happens to KNOW the answer and has time to write a reply.

I know everyone's situation is different, but I tell ya what (and I am embarrassed to admit this, as I have 2 small kids

) I spend at LEAST 3 hrs on BYC per day, and I hardly ever contribute to social or random-ramblings type posts. I usually just check the coop construction section, managing your flock, and other pets and livestock (only for horse topics). Because those are the sections in which I have something mildly-intelligent (sometimes

) to say. I don't usually open 'here's pics of my new coop' type threads b/c I am on dialup.

Just reading question-type new posts on those 2+ sections and answering what I feel competent to answer takes me most of that 3 hours a day. (many days it is more time; on few days is it less).

Sometimes my own questions dont' get an answer, either. Like a couple incubator-related questions I've asked recently. (Others have been very well-answered, of course).

My assumption when this happens is that they're somewhat obscure or vague questions, and either people have better things to do or nobody who happens to check the section during the 6 hrs or so that the Q is on the first page happens to have a confident answer for me. Fair enough.

If you REALLY want something answered, try rephrasing to make it sound clearer or more compelling, and ask again in a day or two. In a very busy sections like the egg and chick ones a little bit of discreet bumping is not necessarily too far out of line either.

Sometimes, though, a good answer just ISN'T readily available... you can't expect BYC to be massively different from anything else in life in that regard

JMHO,

Pat

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
Right-o! I skip certain threads because they are so very insular that it feels like you walked into a stranger's kitchen. There are cliques like any social environment. But there is also just about SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, here, and that's what I like.

 

[sewchick]

Most of the threads are so far off topic that it is very hard to keep up with the question. Too cliquey for me. I have decided to only come online to buy eggs. It's mainly why I joined anyway. I don't read most posts cause they don't even make sense.

I am not sure of the purpose other than it's a big get together. Beats me.

I really have to hunt to find answers to my questions and usually there are so many answers, they don't even come close to the answer. After awhile I give up and go to google.

In my opinion they should revamp the board and only keep the chicken related categories. Maybe have another board for socializing and hobbies. Just my 2 cents and they don't buy much!!

 

[Wifezilla]

In my opinion they should revamp the board and only keep the chicken related categories.

I'm sure if they ever decide they want a tiny board they could do that

 

[GaNewChick]

OK ~ my take on this.

I belong to an artist website that has 180,000 members from all over the world. I even run my own artist forum as well. I've seen this question many times. I don't know how long this forum has been open, but I believe I saw where there are 25,000 plus members? Forums go through growth stages. As more people join and friendships are bonded, a forum has a tendancy to suffer, survive and maintain through the growing pains. People interact more with the one's they've *known* longer on the board.

Also keep in mind that people participate in forums for several reasons. Some come in to ask a question, receive their answer and they're out. Some login to search for answers without asking questions and they are out. Some like to hang out. Some don't feel qualified to answer questions. Some are knowledgeable and give freely of their knowledge and time.

When I joined the first thing I noticed is that there are not enough forum categories. A post from 2 hours ago can easily be knocked down to the 2nd and 3rd page quickly ~ resulting in it being overlooked.

My suggestion would be (depending on the software of this forum) is to create either more specific forums or create sub-forums.

For instance - Incubating and Hatching

This needs to be a little broader: perhaps broken down by sub-forums if possible:

Day 1 - 18
Day 19-21
Temp/Humidity
Pip/Zip

People would be able to post questions in a more defined area perhaps resulting in better responses.

Believe it or not ~ people take notice of how much you give and take within a forum. If you only ask, but never share or help when you can ~ it gets noticed. This is not directed at the OP, just pointing out the nature of a forum.

Hope this helps.

Laura

Edit: I see recommending that it only be about chickens....not good for the forum (it will suffer greatly) if you don't keep areas where people can share about their lives, support each other outside of the chicken world.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

Great feedback, you obviously have experience with running / working in communities like this.

Quote:
We totally agree! The forum is a living, breathing, changing thing and the staff do a great job of keeping up with this. We often do forum reorganizations and add / remove sections when appropriate. The suggestion / example above is almost word for word something we've discussed and versions of it will probably be applied in time.

 

[WalkingWolf]

I honestly do not understand the fuss and problem, this board IMHO is many things to many people, AND it is up to the owners of the site how it is operated. So far I happen to agree with the logistics of the site, it is well laid out.

This is a social board centered around chickens and the lifestyles of those people who enjoy them. It is possible to have a chicken information site only, nothing stopping anybody from starting their own board.

 

[Kanchii]

If you're looking for an answer to something you should try searching for a thread where someone asks the same question. Lots of people have simply answered the same question a million times.

And, we like to be social. So we talk. It's a forum, thus socialization occurs. If we simply asked questions and got straight answers, we wouldn't be the big family we are today.

It would be a small, boring forum.

 

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
I've already responded but I would like to take a minute and address this. As I stated in my other post, I belong to an artist forum with 180,000 members.

We have what is called a *Debates Forum* it can be about art, politics, religion or anything under the sun. It recently went through a major overhaul because some didn't think anything outside of art belonged in an artists forum. Who wants to debate about art everyday all day? It was a huge stink which resulted in a poll ~ the results were to keep debates open to all topics and not be restricted to art related.

Why? Because we as people can't be held to a limited subject day in and day out. It gets redundant if all there is is chicken talk. Forums which allow the daily aspects of our lives is a tremendous learning tool. It allows you to see different viewpoints, and challenges you to think differently.

It bears repeating ~ it is a tremendous learning tool.

I also admin an artist forum and as the old saying goes ~ You don't have to open a thread that does not interest you.

You never know...someone just may crochet a sweater for their chicken.