Similar forums?

[wellingtoncdm]

lovezebs
There are NO finch pink slips, lol! It takes an incredible amount to become banned and it certainly has NEVER been the goal.
I'm not sure any forum has mastered the art of keeping the "experts" around. They often tire of the same or similar basic questions. Many hang back and read but don't respond or just occasionally check in.
This forum is great for beginners. It is family friendly and has a wealth of information. I wish more members would take advantage if the "search" feature located at the top of the page. I'm often directed back to this forum when "Googling" a topic involving finches.
Is this forum perfect? No. Of course not. None are. Facebook has probably put a dent in it but Facebook cannot offer the same depth of searches available here. I use both. I value the knowledge and friendships I've gained here and keep coming back for more.
Just my $0.02

[lovezebs]

wellingtoncdm

Hi Charles, and thanks for the info.

I do love this forum, don't get me wrong. This is the only forum I've ever had the inclination to join. It has been a bit of a mental lifeline to me during some very difficult times lately. Plus you folks have taken me from one lovely little singing canary purchased last August, to one lovely canary ( who is now cranky and holding out for a bride), four zebras (50% who happen to hate the other 50%), three societies (my loves), and two green singers, m/f who are completely against my 'all boy' rule (but were only 20.00, in my defence).

Should I say thank you to a bunch of lovely people, who have helped me turn into a slightly crazed, wild eyed, slavering, will do just about anything to lay my hands on another finch ( if it's the right mutation of course ) maniac???
The answer would have to be a clear 'YES'. I love you guys, pure and simple.

Let's hope everyone is happy now (?)

[Sally]

I had to chuckle at the notion of 'pink slips'. Pink slips imply employment, and we're certainly not employed here. Everyone is here because they want to be, and 99.9% of those who have left have done so voluntarily. Members have come and gone, moderators have come and gone--interests change, life interferes. I thoroughly enjoy this forum, yet I know that if the day comes that I no longer have finches, I will lose interest in the forum. There are so many options available to people these days, it is hard to find time for everything.

I agree with Charlie, this forum is aimed primarily at beginners, trying to help those new to the hobby. We have many experienced members who enjoy helping others, but not everyone is good at teaching. Some have little patience with beginners, some simply don't have the time, some aren't good at sharing.

I think it is pretty obvious that I love this forum. I know there are other forums out there, this one simply suits me. I'm not a fan of Facebook for myself, but I have friends who spend hours there. Isn't it great that there are so many options for us all? I come from a generation that had to go to the library to do research, and there were no computers there. Few books on finches, little access to experts. In other words, the dark ages!

[Ginene]

I do not envy the job our moderators have in any way!!! I am however, completely jealous of their amazing birds, bird rooms/aviaries and endless expertise!!! I just wanted to say that...because most of us here come and go as we please, without any accountability. The Moderators, who have ALWAYS been there for me in both crisis and celebratory times, do not. So MANY THANKS TO A KICK BUTT MODERATING TEAM!!! Without you all, this forum would not even exist!!! XOXO

[Ginene]

1 more thing...to any members who are rolling their eyes, right now thinking I am kissing but...I'm simply stating the truth. This forum is a privilege. I am happy to be a part of it. And my birds are healthier and happier because of it

[JackoftheGreen]

My two cents...

Birds are one of my hobbies, motorcycles is another. I happen to moderate on the largest motorcycle enthusiasts forum in North America, and on those boards we debate life-and-death topics like helmet usage, riding sleeveless, using throttle locks, new rider education of the pros and cons of large-displacement sport bikes -- bullet bikes in the vernacular.

Even with topics that weighty, I've never seen such blatant intolerance for differing opinions as I've witnessed on this site. There are some truly knowledgeable people on this forum, but I feel like many members here forget to draw a line between what they can report as FACT as what they can report as THEIR EXPERIENCE, and there's no room for someone to collect their OWN experience without encouraging the distain of others. That, to me, stifles this forum.

My flock is healthy and happy DISPITE this forum, rather than because of it. (-:

[finchmix22]

Jack of the Green
I understand your point. We want people to be tolerant of other's opinions, yet also educate those who may not know any better. At the same time, there will be different opinions on how to care for finches, so we all must make the decisions that seem to work best for our flocks. Each person may choose a different style or method to keep their flock healthy and breeding. Others may be more interested in pet finches and not breeding. All that is fine.

The only area that is a problem in my opinion is people responding to posts with challenging words or phrases, being rude or inconsiderate and not being respectful when disagreeing. That is what the mods try to monitor, so we can keep the forum open to learn and discuss the pros and cons of different aspects of finch breeding and finch keeping.

[dutch]

I find it interesting when you are having great success at breeding your birds people don't want to hear it....me personally i follow the success stories on here and incorporate it into my breeding program..

That's why you should always check a users topics....you can find some great information on this site....sure there are some that give advice but have no success themselves....

It is a must to check a users topics....if they have ongoing topics of failure don't take their advice....

[mayble]

I do not envy the job our moderators have in any way!!! I am however, completely jealous of their amazing birds, bird rooms/aviaries and endless expertise!!! I just wanted to say that...because most of us here come and go as we please, without any accountability. The Moderators, who have ALWAYS been there for me in both crisis and celebratory times, do not. So MANY THANKS TO A KICK BUTT MODERATING TEAM!!! Without you all, this forum would not even exist!!! XOXO

The only area that is a problem in my opinion is people responding to posts with challenging words or phrases, being rude or inconsiderate and not being respectful when disagreeing. That is what the mods try to monitor, so we can keep the forum open to learn and discuss the pros and cons of different aspects of finch breeding and finch keeping.

I agree that the mods have a challenging job keeping everything civil and "family friendly" around here. But the recent topic discussing the ethics of keeping birds in cages (which deteriorated for some into a debate on the ethics of keeping birds in captivity) was shut down due to the comments of a very few of the many people involved in the thread.
Wouldn't it be more productive to address the offenders via private message, and/or remove the particularly offensive posts, rather than close the whole topic so no one else can continue to share ideas and opinions?
I think users should have the responsibility to avoid topics that upset them rather than giving that responsibility to the moderators. In the thread referenced, I recall posters stating that they were done debating it and moving on - kudos to them. I think we can all be that mature and leave the mods to deal with genuine harassment and insults.

[dfcauley]

You are spot on!!!!! I agree with you 100%!

[dan78]

Well there is so many people and so many ideas so no wonderwhy there is clashes but if writen right can be helpful. I was on here when there was a big issue and people either left or have been banned, so where did they go I know of a few who have either left forums all together or joined a different one. Well I used to be on here alot a while ago and some names haven't changed but there are also a lot of new names also. The reasons behind why I've personally haven't engaged in a lot of discussions is that life has become more hectic so I have had to drop a lot of my stock and had to take my stress on a new hobby which has been breeding cichlids. I do time to time come on read and if time allows add in where I can. There's a good Australian finch forum but breeding birds here can beaa lot different than in the rest of the world as well as our breeding time is also different.

[nicky]

Hello all.
Just to answer the original question about similar forums i have added
a few links to some forums that i regularly visit.

Im sure some of you will be familiar with this one,a very good site.

http://aussiefinchforum.net/

For those of you that may be interested in european birds,these next 2 sites are the best you will find.

http://www.nativebirds.co.uk/forum/ucp. ... lder=inbox

http://www.bbia.co.uk/bbia-forums-v2/in ... tion=login

[Ginene]

Thanks for the links nicky