3 of my chickens murdered--What are they worth?

Truth you can't prove it was his Dog.To be fair I would tell him $21 and call it good.

Go to Bolivar next Saturday and replace them if you like.

big rockpile

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If I need a Friend
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I went to Murray McMurray's and they are selling point-of-lay pullets for just under $11 each not including shipping. They don't tell you the shipping unless you enter credit card information. I would guess though that shipping would double the price.

I'd probably charge him $30 for all three and be done with it. More than that and he may try to fight you.

RedTartan

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Didn't know Murray McMurray's was doing this.I don't think you can raise them up to this age for this price unless your not giving them much more than what they get Free Ranging.

big rockpile

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I love being married.Its so great to find that one person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.



If I need a Shelter
If I need a Friend
I go to the Rock!

That's the replacement cost from a couple of years ago around here.

I'd guess maybe $12 a chicken would be tops now a days.

We have pretty strict dogs laws here, so whether it's a chicken,pig or sheep, the dog owner is slapped with a $300 fine on top of replacement cost(I think it's$300 ?)

I just checked out McMurray's started pullets and their site says the beaks are trimmed. I was really surprised to find that, as I would never order chickens with their beaks trimmed.

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/prod...d_pullets.html

We went here this year, the neighbors dog killed 12 of my ducks, I sell eggs, and have breeding stock. In court, we were awarded $50.00 per bird, because of lose of income and breeding stock. They were also fine $750.00 for letting the dog run lose. Now when I sell my birds I get $10.00 to $20.00 per bird, depending on the breed.

I think many here have given you good advice. Don't be greedy. I know actual replacement value would be about $180 per chicken, in reality you would be lucky to get 50 bucks, without getting a shyster involved, in which case he's the only one who will make out. The dog really can't be blamed, as he's only doing what's natural to him. The owner appears to be doing the right thing, even though there is no way to prove it was even his dog. If it were me, I would write off the loss, then give the guy, with the dog,a few dozen eggs on the cuff. He would probably spread the word about the quality of person you are, and you would have a great number of customers for your eggs because of that.

You guys can talk money all you want but truth be told when that dog gets out again guess where he'll be. I had the same problem with my rabbits. The best thing to do is to not say anything at all and not worry about the money. Fix the problem once and for all. You guys can get your money back but you still haven't fixed the problem. I did what needed to be done and now I haven't had anymore problems. Just speaking the truth.

S S S, build your self a nice lil raised bed in the back yard one night if the dog comes back. if you dont wanna make a noise by shooting a good blow to the head with a hammer will work.

Read Ernie's response on the other dog killing chickens thread.

When shopping for replacement birds, also get yourself a cockfighting rooster. He'll teach the dog a lesson or two.

Sorry about your loss and good luck with a resolution.

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Diamondtim

You can tell what someone thinks by reading the bumper stickers on their car. You can also tell if they think at all.

"We have leash laws in our town for both cats and dogs."

It is a little difficult for someone to SSS when they live in town and there are others around and can see the deed. Where I live there is also a law against discharging a firearm or air gun within the city.

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to all of your great advice. I've been on vacation, spending time with my first grandbaby. I am in LOVE with that sweet baby girl!! Everything everyone has told you about grandbabies is TRUE!!

Thank you all for responding to my question. I appreciate your honest opinions.

City Hall called me the next day to get my story. I asked them what fines he was looking at. They said $150 for having a dog "at large", another $150 for not having proper city tags and not having updated shots (he had told the Animal Control Officer that the dog did have shots). If he doesn't reimburse me for my loss, he could also be fined $500 or 90 days in jail for having a "dangerous animal at large".

Also, the guy at City Hall told me that the Animal Control Officer (new on the job) should have impounded the dog until the guy paid for the city tags and shots. That would have been $80 a night plus the cost of the tags and shots.

I called McMurray to find out what it would cost to ship 3 starter pullets. They are $10.95 each plus $73.10 for shipping all three for a total of $105.95. I checked several local feed stores and none offer starter pullets. Someone suggested that I drive to Bolivar to pick some up. If I were only closer! It would cost me more in gas than to have them shipped.

The earliest I can get baby chicks is mid-March from my local feed store. (I only want 5 and it's just too cold to have that few shipped from anywhere.) I am out the eggs until the new ones would start laying. At 2 1/2 dozen eggs per month per hen for about 8 months at (conservatively) $2.00 a dozen is $120. Also out the cost of the chicks, the gas to go get them and the feed to get them to laying size.

I try to live by the "Golden Rule." I really do want to be fair and after considering everyone's advice have decided to ask the guy for $75.00. I wrote him a letter explaining what it would actually cost to replace them, which is what I think is only fair. If I were the dog the owner, I could not argue that $75 is not a fair price. I would be happy to pay that amount had my dog killed my neighbors chickens.

He has until February 1 to pay up. His court date is Feb. 20. I received a summons to appear as a witness. If he pays me on time, I shouldn't have to appear.

Anyway, thanks again to all that responded. SSS is a fine idea, but I would be accused of murder if I did in the REAL culprit, the dog owner. We have leash laws for a reason. I did drive by the guy's house. He has a 6 foot high stockade fence around his whole back yard. I really think he will be keeping a closer eye on his dog.

I am going to use the $75 to buy an electric garden fence to put around the chicken run. Not totally predator proof, but hopefully a deterant to Fido should he come back.