Small Vent

[WhiteWingsCa]

I don't like to complain -- but I am sure I'm not the only one who is bothered by this....

From time to time, we get posters who ask a question - but don't give enough information for anyone to give them a complete answer. The people trying to help ask the original poster some questions, to get more info - but the OP never replies.

A little while later, that person will start a new thread - asking similar questions, but again, not giving enough information to go on.... so they are asked again for more detail......

If you want an answer to your questions -- give as much detail as you can. If you don't, and are asked to fill in some more info -- please do so..... otherwise, you're never going to get the answers you need.

And your birds suffer for it - because if you keep doing things wrong, you can ask over and over 'why' - but we can't answer you, if you dont' help us out some.....

*stepping down off my soapbox*

Thank you....

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Good subject White Wings,

Sometimes I suspect we are dealing with persons with ADD, the way they jump from subject to subject to subject. Never following up with the information that was requested on their orginal post. Then of course they are simply baffled when they end up with sick birds for example, when you were trying to explain that 7 threads and 14 posts ago, to which they were to busy thinking of another thread to start with 4 more questions, and they have already forgotten the question they posted yesterday !

We want to encourage participation, but sometimes it would make more sense to read the threads and posts that are already here, and then when you do post a question, provide enough detail, and then be available for follow up questions. If on the other hand, you do not want some feed back, or answers to a question, then don't post a question, or ask for advice.

[TerriB]

Whew! From the title, I was afraid you had a hen that was egg-bound due to her vent being too small!

I agree that this is frustrating, especially if the problem appears time critical. I wonder if sometimes newcomers are just not familiar with how to post to an on-line thread, like they don't understand how the forum works. Not sure how you could remedy that, just that there may be a learning curve. Maybe a FAQ page, "Go here first"?

[WhiteWingsCa]

Warren, I can understand where you're coming from .... but I have ADD, and most people with it can function well enough to continue one thought/idea most of the time... LOL In fact, many of "us" tend to hyperfocus - if it's a subject that's near and dear to us. Blurting out too much information is usually the problem... haha

TeriB - haha -- when I typed that in, I wondered if people would think that - -but hey, it got you to read it, didn't it?

I don't know how to solve the problem -- there are so many "sticky"s with good info, and yet people seem to just skip past them. Interestingly enough, there is a forum (business related) that I visit, that says right off the bat -- before you ask any questions, read the information that's already here! lol

Perhaps we need a sticky at the top of each folder with the basics....something like:

Please include these answers if you are asking for help with your birds..

1. what type of pigeons do you have (homer, roller, fantails, etc)
2. how old are the pigeons you are asking questions about
3. How long have you had the birds?
4. Are these birds you raised yourself, or that you bought from someone else? If you bought them.... how long ago?


Just answering these four questions will make answering most inquiries so much easier, imho.....

[Skyeking]

Yes, this can be very frustrating. Lets add:

1.History of the birds, prevention, innoculations,

2. Food source, what do you feed them?

3. What type of coop do you have,well ventilated, predator and weather proofed. How often do you clean?

4. Describe problem, symptoms in detail.


TerriB,

I thought the same thing reading the title, sure did spark my curiosity.

[Camrron]

Oh Yeah,

I thought the same as Terri and Treesa when I saw the thread title. I thought, holy crow, this is a new one. Wonder what is going on here. Never did it occur to me that "vent" meant venting.

Anyway, I have noticed the same thing. Also every once in a while some questions get posed, one of the members responds with a terrific reply and it just goes un-answered and ignored. Seems a shame and must be frustrating for the member too. What can you do. The important thing is that you have left good information on a thread for those people who do like to investigate past material and enjoy reading so it's not all a loss.

What about the idea of new or first-time postings having to fill a brief form of background information on their patient. You know, like a clinic might do. Basic info on symptoms, the birds condition and a few other pertinent details. Nothing too excessive though.

Just a thought and I don't know how it would be done but the computer types could probably set it up easily enough. The information could be requested at sign-up and be displayed along with the users details.

Cameron