How does this sound for compensation *small update

[Cara]

The thing that throws me for a loop with the future egg income is that there was no current egg income. I understand predicting what you could have made from what you currently make (ie in the case of loss of income due to an at-fault accident etc), but not in the case of something that may or may not have occured in the future. It's a bit like claiming damages for future winnings on a horse that's never raced. Maybe it could have won the Kentucky Derby, maybe it was a nag.

 

[BayCityBabe]

I suggest that if you really want to get paid, you ask for the value of the birds. Probably $15-$20 each - tops. I am not saying this to be harsh (I have cried many a tear for my chickens...). It is just that I negotiate with people as part of my work. If you start to high, they will shrug you off.

 

[greathorse]

All of this of course is up the OP, but it makes perfect sense to me to charge for egg loss. If OP wants to reproduce birds just as she had she will need start by handraising chicks. Otherwise she will have an unknown quantity. These birds are about to start producing and she does not have access to that someone needs to pay for that.

Lets say you have a business and it is worth 100K and it burns down. You have it insured for 100K so your not out anything all is well. Not quite business needs to be rebuilt and there is loss of income during that time. I assume some insurances compensate for that and others dont but just for example is all I am saying.

I think a court would support depends on whether OP wants to get there or not

ETA: and if there were any breeder birds involved God knows what they could be worth. There are breeders that wont even sell their good stuff at any price.

YIKES

 

[horsejody]

They don't have to be fancy to be worth something. Just go to the McMurray website and see what they charge for started pullets plus shipping. Like I said before, the judge had no problem at all granting me bird value, lost egg value and vet bills when I went to court. 13 dead birds cost them over $1000.

 

[Quadog]

Quote:
I would say the odds of a chicken laying an egg is just a little better.

 

[greathorse]

Yup

 

[babyblue]

It is completely fair to charge the dog owners feed costs and future egg cost. As far as feed cost goes a started pullet costs so much more then a day old chick because you are paying for the feed and grow out. As far as eggs go, yes some breeds lay all winter. I have only 5 BOs laying so far and I get nearly 3 dozen eggs a week, no additional light and its freezing cold and dark here. Heavens only knows what Ill get from them when its light and warm out again and everybody’s laying.

If I was to lose my laying hens I would have to find someone local to buy them from (at greater expense for me) because my three year old son will no longer eat store bought eggs because he says they taste icky.

 

[Jess N Jeff]

Quote:
Negotiations are great but its also the principle that matters.

These neighbors obviously don't give a s**t about anyone around them. If they did, they would be more responsible with THEIR dogs. They are not, so they should suffer the consequences of their actions...or lack of actions.

I say give them the letter with the full amount. If they don't pay. Take them to court. Let the judge decide what is legal and fair in your community. You may be surprised to find the judge tell your neighbors that their dogs could be taken away or put down. Laws for non controlled dogs are getting stricter and stricter.

 

[purpletree23]

I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. I had the same problem with a neighbors dog who killed my chicken. I know how you feel and so do other BYC'ers. My experience with the court system was not what I expected and I have lost faith in it. I will never go to small claims court again! Here's a quick story

Dog killed my chicken...dog owner said it wasn't his dog.......got paperwork for small claims court.....filled out paperwork and paid $62.00 to file papers......paid $18.00 for police reports....paid $1.16 to get pictures developed....had to drive 20 minutes to the sheriff office......paid $72.00 for sheriff to serve court papers....missed work for trial.........the court awarded me court costs and $20.00 for the chicken.

It's not worth it. The stress, the time missed from work and then the injustice. In NH it is legal to shoot dogs who are chasing, killing, worrying etc livestock. Chickens are livestock. Find out if it is legal where you are and target practice. Once the dogs know where to get a chicken dinner they will be back. I guarantee. I'm waiting for the doggie from across the road to show up. He won't ever go home.

SSS

Shoot Shovel Shut up

I wish you the best of luck my friend, whatever method you choose, and piece of mind.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Well I think small claims court is worth it. Maybe not if you're only demanding $20, but...

I sued a large company in small claims court, and they opted to settle before the court date for the price I demanded (which is all I really wanted) rather than fly a representative from MI to AR to fight it.

Output from me: $50 for court fee, plus $nothing for a certified letter. Income: over $1k and they hauled the broken washing machine away. It was worth it to me.

On the other hand, I also agree that bullets are cheap!