How to put a dollar value on hens?

[Black wallnut]

I am at a loss. My next door neighbors dog killed 4 of my flock. Two hens and two pullets that should have started laying within the month. He has agreed to pay for the chickens but I'm not sure how much to charge him. I think I should also demand that his dog is dispatched. He says the dog will jump any fence and he does not have much control over it.

 

[LRH97]

Sorry that this happened! I know it's hard to put a value on your girls when the money doesn't replace them. I charge 10-15 dollars for pullets that are close to laying and for laying hens. If he does/can not control his dog, he does not need to have one (or at least that particular one). I would politely warn him once, and only once, that he better try a little harder to keep his dog on his property. If the dog comes in your yard again (which he very well might) I would have the dog dispatched. I have little tolerance for this, hence my signature. Accidents happen, I completely understand. That's why I give the person a chance before I take action. After that, I just assume they don't care. I hope the problem is resolved and I'm sorry again for your losses.

 

[WthrLady]

Depends on the breed too. Fancy breeds can go for up to 50$ for a 10 wk old started pullet.

Standard breeds, like rir, or sex linked usually go for 20$ per bird at laying age.

 

[vbob99]

as above $20 is fairly standard. If a dog can get to them so can other predators electricity is a good option. only dispatch/contact animal control if you want a very unfriendly neighbor.

 

[gawildlife]

These were ayam cemani hens, right?

 

[CrazyTalk]

It really depends on where you live. In many states, the value of livestock destroyed by dogs is set by law. In Virginia, it's $10. It doesn't matter what the breed is. (https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+3.2-6553)

First, you want to call the police/animal control, and file a report. This absolutely needs to happen - it's your legal grounding if you need to dispatch the dog at some point.

Second, tell the neighbor that if the dog is in your yard again, it will be dispatched.

Third, put up fences. It's his responsibility to keep his dog off your property, but it's also your responsibility to protect your animals, and if the neighbor's dog can get to them, so can every stray dog that comes by, and every coyote or fox around.

EDIT:
Virginia also has a "Dangerous Dog" classification, and one of the ways a dog can be classified as dangerous is 3 livestock issues without the livestock owner killing the dog in the act (which we have the right to do) - if a dog is classified dangerous, the owner needs to register it with the state, needs to be insured to keep a dangerous dog, needs to keep it in a locked, inescapable area, etc. This is another reason you need to report every incident - if you don't report, you won't have legal grounds.

 

[Falcon Chickens]

In addition to the cost of replacing the chicks, assuming that they sell their eggs, can the OP also charge for the lost income from the eggs that he would've been able to sell?

 

[CrazyTalk]

That's going to depend on locality. As the original poster hasn't posted a locality, there's no way to tell.

 

[Black wallnut]

Thanks for the replies! FWIW I live adjacent to Ellensburg, WA. In other words outside of the city limits although that is really moot as far as Washington State law is concerned. Our laws are very clear that predators may be shot when they are harassing livestock which specifically includes poultry. Once a dog attacks a chicken the dogs owner is required by law to keep the dog contained within his property and our state law clearly gives the farmer/ rancher license to kill the dog if it is caught at large.

I did not notify law enforcement because dogs killing chickens is a civil matter. There also is no duty for me to do so to enforce my rights in the future if I have to kill my neighbors dog.

FWIW I have a background in Law Enforcement and am good friends with many in law enforcement in my area. The county prosecutor is also a friend and his advice is to kill dogs attacking livestock. Some counties have a specific exemption for discharging a firearm in a "no shooting zone" or city limits for protecting livestock including poultry. It is wise to learn the laws of your local area and how those in charge of enforcing them do so.

 

[MeepBeep]

It really depends on where you live

I fully agree with the above, one has to review their specific laws that apply to them...

First, you want to call the police/animal control, and file a report. This absolutely needs to happen - it's your legal grounding if you need to dispatch the dog at some point. 

In my area there is no prerequisite or establishment of legal grounding required like calling animal control, filing a report or even notifying the owner of the dog before or even after I dispatch a dog seen by me injuring my livestock... Legal grounding in my area is fully established by me witnessing the event...