How much is a chicken worth?

[purpletree23]

I think I have the proper page. One of my chickens was killed yesterday by a dog. If I want any compensation I have to bring the owner to small claims court. What is a layer worth including the eggs I could have sold from her? She was priceless and precious to me but I can't let this go. The dog owner must know that there are consequences for letting their dog run loose.

 

[pipermark]

a Chicken is worth whatever the market will bear, just like anything else. You need to look for ads for people selling layers. Around where I live, they are worth about Seven dollars.

 

[faykokoWV]

I'm curious too, can you take the average number of eggs the chicken would have layed and add that to the replacement cost? Do you have to calculate what you would have sold the eggs for or can you calculate the money you would have to spend to buy eggs now that the chicken is gone?

 

[lux_interior]

I'm sorry for your loss, but unfortunately, I think a chicken is worth a lot less than any costs of taking someone to court

 

[sred98]

Seven dollars??

Around here they are between $10-20 for mutts. Special breeds are more!

Shelly

 

[themillican]

I bought RIR for $15 recently and saw a post on Craigs List the other day for $25 for specialty breeds.

I would add in the lost profits from egg sales, say about $3-4 a 12 pack.

If you have numbers and some research to back up your claim you have a lot better chance. Also, you will not get more than what you ask for so aim high.

Good luck.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Oh no, you need to add everything in - what you paid to purchase the chicken, feed, medical care, and then the value of lost egg production. A while back Horsejody had her flock attacked and took the dog owner to court. Trying to find that post now. That would include a more comprehensive list of what you can ask.

i do think you should take him to court. When you win, the dog owner will pay your court costs, too.

 

[ChooksChick]

I have a pet chicken worth at least $170.

I had a beak trim that went bad and the vet had to put on a prosthetic lower beak. The bill (don't have to pay it- the vet's fault, after all) was over $170.

If it's a pet, you can assert that the value is higher.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I would come to court with ads from "area" sources. If that is an ad from 2 hours away for a pricey bird, all the better. If you keep records of how many eggs you get, bring them. She had value as a contributor to your family & household. I would also calculate the "real cost" of her replacement. Cost of bird + travel cost + travel time + isolation coop for new bird = true cost.

Can you tell I end up in court alot? It's for work!

Good luck!

 

[purpletree23]

I agree with all of you. A layer here is worth about $15.00. She was a heavy dual purpose breed so maybe 200 eggs laid every year for 2 years? Eggs her in NH are $3.00 - $4.00 dozen for organic eggs. (CRAZY AIN"T IT) Is it worth going to court? Not worth the mental anguish. I wish I owned a gun.