How much is a chicken worth?

[Rillion]

Are compensatory damages really awarded in this kind of case according to market value? If his dog had killed your dog and the dog was a mutt from the local Humane Society, would that determine how much he actually owes you? If not, I don't see why it should be any different with a chicken.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Sorry to hear about your chickens. Murray McMurray Hatchery sells juvenile birds by breed - may be go there and see what it would cost to replace your lost birds

 

[Yonnavee]

Just had my favorite pet bird killed today by a loose dog. RIR hen who would come in the house and sit on the couch with me like a cat! Dog owner did not even apologize. These two men were letting the dog run loose on the nearby high school soccer field! It made a beeline to my yard and started killing. Got Beep and Rusty (both brand new hens from April-just started laying-raised them from peeps). I got the men's plate number, but the cops can't locate the vehicle because it's a rental. Figures. Only wish I could've gotten to my pistol instead of just the ball bat. At least that kept it from killing more than two. Had to vent. My little Beep won't be in tomorrow morning for her breakfast lettuce. No wonder the world is in such a mess.Some people don't care about anyone other than themselves.

 

[lazy gardener]

I find it hard to believe that cops couldn't find the vehicle with you providing a license plate #, even if it was a rental vehicle. So sorry for your loss.

 

[jungletoy]

Ok, let's stop all the misinformation. The bottom line is this- If you are a BYC'r your chickens have no value at all. I know, I know Buffy was a lifelong friend and companion but there are laws. If no laws are broken then there is no crime and thus not punishable in our wonderful legal system.

That being said... I raise hundreds of chickens for eggs. I have a business license and am state inspected. This puts my chickens under livestock laws (which may vary from state to state). In my state each chicken will lay eggs equivelent to $5000.00 dollars over their productive laying lifetime. If I have a previous greivance against an irresponsible "pet parent" it doubles. You know, like hitting the double bumper playing pinball. That's $10,000 per chicken for those of you still struggling with the laces of your shoes. ;-) That being said, I have notified, by certified mail, every property owner in a five mile radius of my free range operation that if my livestock is harmed or harrased by their untutored pets, they will recieve, for their irresponsibility: - Photos and an HD video of their furry human companion killing less than or equal to 10 of my money makers, a .22LR caliber of love round to respective brain pan and a carcass of same on there doorstep along with a summons to appear. For those of you still struggling with shoe laces, thats $50k minus legal expenses and .10 cents for a .22LR. I love animals, but I hate irresponsible pet owners. If I could legally shoot them instead of their pets I would. If you think retiring and raising chickens isn't lucrative, you should move to a state where firearm and livestock rules favor the prepared. ;-)

Just a reminder, dogs unlike ANY predator, will kill many chickens, a predator will take one. And in my case, pet parents can be sued for losses and spot won't being playing fetch any time soon, unless of course you are a Stephen King fan or are a very connected lawyer. Either way the problem will be resolved, and at least as far as precedent has established, in my favor.

Check your local laws or for you google-kin "livestock laws [state you live in]" get a business license or have the chick provider on speed dial.

And for those of you who are aspiring lawyers or Internet Know-it-alls, in my state livestock laws are on my side, and where I live discharging a firearm is not illegal, nor is protecting livestock on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Do your research, and not on an Internet forum before you undertake any aforementioned action. This means consulting with a county official, the sherrif or a lawyer. Better yet, get it in writing and witnessed because, hey, polititions and lawyers... enough said.

OP, Sorry for your loss. :-(

 

[MeepBeep]

but the cops can't locate the vehicle because it's a rental.

This is a standard cop excuse for it's too much paperwork and hassle for them to bother with...

Ok, let's stop all the misinformation.

I'm going to nip you there because from that point on you provided plenty of misinformation yourself...

The BLUNT FACTUAL REALITY is that livestock laws vary from state to state and municipality to municipality, so there is no single 'right' answer... To get the 'right' answer you have to consult all applicable laws that apply to your situation, circumstances and location specifically... Only the laws that apply to you matter, doesn't matter what laws apply to others..

For example contrary to your claims...

In most areas you most certainly do not need to be a 'licensed' business/farm to claim a livestock loss, being a BYC'r does not automatically or necessarily mean your chickens have no value...

Even if no laws aka crimes are broken lawsuits can still be initiated for losses, there is a distinct difference between criminally 'guilty of a crime' and civilly 'liable for your actions'...

In some states there is a set value or maximum value on livestock loses and no mater if you claim it's worth x-amount you will only get the value (or maximum) specified under law, while other states allow you to pursue more in a civil lawsuit... Some states require you to hire a third party appraiser to value of your lose, while other states set the lose at current market replacement cost... And some states (like mine) have a common fund that you can simply make a claim against and not even deal with the dogs owner if you choose... And the list of applicable laws could go on and on, simply no one answer...

 

[Yonnavee]

Well, the police are pursuing the matter as there have been a number of people have came to me and report that the dog regularly runs loose through town and one has said that she will let the police know that this dog came into her yard and attacked her little bulldog this past summer. My neighbor knows just about everyone in town and has even gotten an address of the dog owners for me. The state police here in PA are required to find the dog now after the attack on my chickens because if the dog attacks a person, the police can be sued by the next victim-if they're human.

I'm not in the town borough and my property has always been posted (another citation for the people with the dog-they were trespassing on private property). The ball bat has been joined by the door with my favorite varmit gun.I've also put something bigger there because after the one man drug the dog back to the car, a bigger guy got out and started toward me and was yelling that they were just a bunch of chickens and I had no right to hit his dog. he got back in the car when I started toward him-and I didn't even have the ball at on my hand! Just not taking the chance anymore of someone backing off. It was two city men and a dog against a140 pound woman, three scared chickens, and a ball bat. All my other defense items weren't readily accessible. Not anymore.

Thanks for understanding and the information.

 

[LooperChickens]

I went to a chicken sale last week and my birds were bringing from $6.00-$9.00 and I was very surprised

 

[lazy gardener]

Just because that's what you were getting, that doesn't mean that was the actual value. That amount of money for a good POL chicken is an embarrassment, and I know, it does boil down to supply and demand... but, honestly! I think I'd rather eat it than give it away for such a paltry sum!

 

[keesmom]

Just because that's what you were getting, that doesn't mean that was the actual value. That amount of money for a good POL chicken is an embarrassment, and I know, it does boil down to supply and demand... but, honestly! I think I'd rather eat it than give it away for such a paltry sum!

Most definitely. Lately the locals haven't been willing to pay much more than hatchery chick prices for 6 month old pullets. Recently I advertised ten 6-7 month old pullets for $15 each. People wanted all for $15. I don't think so. Now if a bird, cockerel OR pullet, isn't going in a breeding pen it is going in my freezer.