My chickens have been disappearing

[lilshadow]

I found red feathers yesterday out by my coop, and told my husband that I had lost a hen. I have noticed that I have been losing chickens. I hatched out 10 andalusians, and only have 4 left. I have 5 partridge cochins and only have 1 left. I thought that maybe a racoon or opposum or something had been getting my birds. Today I came home (I care pool) from work my friends drop me off, and the next thing I know they came pulling in the drive way. They said " we know what are happening to your chickens", and they pull my beautiful splash andalusian rooster out of the truck. He is gone ripped to shreds. They caught the neighbors dogs running down the road with my chicken. I put my poor rooster in the back of my truck, and take off for the guys house. There are his dogs, I hop out go to the back of my truck. I pull out my chicken, and said" your dogs are killing my chickens they just got caught with one of my birds in their mouth. I told him to pen his dogs up because the next time I will shoot his dogs if they come back onto my property. I told him I would kill them, and then deliver them to him". I am hot. I have lost so many chickens to this dog. I have told this neighbor two or three times now to please keep his dogs penned. The first time it happened last winter I filled the dogs butt full of bird shot. I didn't want to kill it, I just wanted to scare it. It didn't come back for a while. My husband took the guns away after that. Anyway, I am writing up a bill and I am taking it to my neighbor. I just need to know how do you put a price on chickens that you hatched yourself. I also wanted to make sure that I couldn't get into trouble for threatening to kill this guys dogs. I spoke with the sherriff, and he said that he didn't blame me. Told me I could get into trouble because I am protecting my animals on my property. I said"good because I will kill his dog, and deliver it to him".

I am a dog lover, but this guys dogs are becoming a wild pack. It just isn't me it's also my other neighbors animals they are messing with.

 

[scooter147]

I'd start at $20 bucks a bird.

I would do the SSS method, if the guy comes looking for his dog, simply say "nope have not seen them lately" and leave it at that.

 

[mmajw]

Did you buy the eggs?
Charge if you bought them what you paid plus shipping.

Did you hen hatch them? Charge for her and the eggs and the feed and what they would be worth if they made it to laying age.

Some people have charged over $50/chicken. The cost that goes into them is a lot and you should be compensated. I would also report him in case this happens again so you have documentation and you have ground to stand on if it happens again.

Good luck and sorry for your losses.

 

[lilshadow]

I reported him to the sherriff. I hatched these chickens from eggs, and also bought some from the hatchery. My andalusians I hatched, I paid 40.00 for these eggs that was shipping included. I have lost 2 geese(african), 13 quail(courtinex) and 14 hens to these dogs. What should I do if he doesn't pay. I can't force him to pay or can I?

 

[tressiah]

Since you have witnesses to the dog's crime, I would firmly tell the neighbor what the replacement cost and upkeep of the poultry is. Write it down n case he's as bright as his dogs. :/Tell him you are expecting compensation in 14 days, or you will be forced to file in small claims court. Then DOCUMENT every time you see his dogs loose, & call the authorities. I hope they are responsive to you. Good Luck

 

[mmajw]

If you press charges through the sheriff's dept. he can be made to pay restitution, which would be what your bill is.

 

[MissPrissy]

The geese at table weight are worth $65 each.

Don't short change yourself on their value. Price them out including feed and your time carrying for them.

 

[BILLIE0953]

HI THERE
I READ YOUR POST.....I AM IN OHIO AND LAWS MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT...I AM AN ANIMAL RESCUE AND ALSO A CHICKEN RAISER....LAYERS AND MEAT...HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTION FOR COST AND LOSS
INITIAL COST OF BIRDS....INCLUDING ELECTRIC FOR INCUBATING
THE COST OF FEED AND WATER UP TO THE AGE OF THE BIRD.
LAYERS......IF THEY ARE DUAL CHICKENS [[[ LAYERS FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN KILLED FOR MEAT]]]] YOU CAN ALSO CHARGE FOR PRODUCTION LOSS OF EGGS AND MEAT
AND PICTURES SPEAK A THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!! IF YOU CAN GET A PIC OF THE DOG ON YOUR PROPERTY
ONCE YOU FIGURE YOUR COST SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE DOG OWNER AND A 30 DAY RESPONSE TIME...THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE COURT IF IT GOES THAT FAR....AVOID VERBAL CONFRONTATIONS.....THIS LEADS TO HE SAID SHE SAID IN COURT. PAPER IS ALWAYS GOOD EVIDENCE...WRITTEN DEPOSITION FROM THE WITNESS AND NOTARIZED!!!!
CALL THE DOG WARDEN AND FILE A COMPLAINT'''' DOG AT LARGE AND THREATENING''''', THEY HAVE TO RESPOND!!!!!!
I HAVEN'T LOST A CASE IN COURT YET!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

 

[ginbart]

I wouldn't write up a bill and take it to your neighbor. I would give it to the sherriff and let him take it to the man. This way he would know the sherriff is involved. Good luck.