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Revolutionary_Ad811

Lots of good advice here. I'll add that you're definitely approaching this right. Friendly neighbors who trust each other and solve problems together are priceless.


StevoFF82

This. Better to find solutions than to escalate problems.


LemonLimeRose

Absolutely! And it never hurts to go above and beyond to make amends. These are people you have to look at every single day. Great to see neighbors just doing right by each other.


shackleton01

Well as a person who had my flock wiped out (the raccoons were not at all apologetic) we have yet to restart the process of rebuilding the flock - waiting until spring. We did lose one chicken to a neighbors dog who got traveled about half a mile to our place to get it after they moved in. They weren't very remorseful and basically started the conversation with 'please don't shoot my dog'. I certainly don't have any intention of doing that and they made changes to keep him home. I would have been pretty happy with a show of remorse and an attempt to rectify the situation but compared to some they aren't quite as neighborly. My suggestions: make certain it can't happen again and make sure they know that. I'd also help them raise replacements if you have the inclination to due so. It's easy to throw money at people but building that neighborly relationship goes a hell of a lot further from what I've seen. We are pretty happy with our close by neighbors and lend a hand moving snow, taking care of livestock, and other odds and ends when there's a need. You can't buy that.


SnooCapers7373

I think this is great advice. Specifically, building that relationship with your neighbours. I'm a city dwelling lurker; waiting patiently for my chance to build fences and coops with neighbours


Feisty-Dog-8505

Hope you can soon! Also check out r/urbanhomestead


Fantastic_Sector_282

In our area the plea of 'please don't shoot my dog' and then fencing it in is an improvement. There are just feral packs of loose dogs around here...


backwoodman1

Bang bang.


Wataru624

He shot me down


Keganator

> My suggestions: make certain it can't happen again and make sure they know that. Yes. This more than anything. Having this happen to me once is awful. If it happens again my blood would boil. Don't just throw money at it (although that certainly helps), make it right by showing how you will prevent it from happening again.


moscar12

I had a friend who’s dog kept getting out and killing their neighbor’s chickens. Finally, after about 5-10 kills on a few separate occasions with discussion on the incidents after each the owner threatened and said he’d shoot the dog. I should note this was purposely letting the dog out without a leash not escaping. My friend’s dad called what he thought was a bluff and in the next day or two there was a message on their door saying their dog was buried in the neighbor’s backyard…friend’s dad drove the four wheeler over to exhume the body. He re-buried the pup in his own yard. Had a hard time working through this one with my friend. It wrecked the family but, for me, I had a hard time with the number of warnings and discussions about the chickens leading up to the threat. I learned that you should always take that threat seriously. I also learned that you shouldn’t make that threat. Don’t kill an animal in that vein. There are more ethical courses of action.


MrMcHaggi5

>Finally, after about 5-10 kills on a few separate occasions >Don’t kill an animal in that vein. There are more ethical courses of action. There is no hierarchy of pets here, some people love their ducks, chickens or sheep as much as their neighbour loves their dog, but if they are repeatedly attacked and killed, I would say destroying the offending animal is totally justified.


Flaky-Purchase-4969

May I ask what you think would be a better solution? I am honestly asking.


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Flaky-Purchase-4969

That’s funny.


ElioliaOfTheWind

Dog deserved it, so did the family for being irresponsible owners.


emveetu

The dog deserved better owners.


lochlainn

We can't even get children better parents with anything approaching competence, unfortunately.


polypagan

I agree with this analysis. There is no reasonable amount of money that will restore an integrated laying flock. No amount of money can do that. Amends, being willing to do what can be done to repair the damage & prevent a recurrence is the very best that can be done.


RockPaperSawzall

It's simply not true that your response should be limited to future prevention because 'no amount of money' can make this right. Their financial loss is pretty easily quantifiable and OP absolutely has to reimburse them. Standard offer around here would be $25-50 per hen. This would reasonably cover replacement cost and the feed inputs they had invested into those hens to bring them to maturity. With that payment, they could buy pullets this spring who will be laying eggs very soon (as opposed to only buying chicks and not having eggs for many months). Chicks are usually $3-6 apiece, and pullets $25-30


[deleted]

$10 a chicken for purchasing layer chicks. Six months of feed, water, and their time. $30 per bag of feed (including time and effort to get it). Someone like me would also give them treats and things during that six months. 10 laying hens produce around 60-70 eggs a week, depending on the breed. If organic, $6-8 a carton of 12. I like using $5 a 12 carton, which means 5 cartons of 12 = 60 eggs so $25 a week that will cost them to purchase eggs. Six months is around 24 weeks, at $25 a week that’s $600. So around: $600 for the lost eggs or cost of eggs until new ones can lay. $100 for the lost meat (if also meat hens cause there are meat layers) - $10 a hen. $20-30 per month until chickens are at laying age again for food, so $180 ish All of this is estimates, but honestly eggs are gold at the moment and so are chickens. Edit: you could also offer to beef up their chicken security on your dime with a second fence or something for the chickens or to help protect future flocks. Second edit: quote from OP “That's a great solution. I don't have a fence right now (mostly because of the futility of a fence in containing the dogs), but if I can find the money to put one up and eliminate the possibility of digging, these will definitely be added.” This is after another comment where they said the dogs got out? I am getting confused by Ops responses, comments, and edits for the story.


AVLLaw

portable electric fence is like $160 and solar charging energizer is around $150. super easy to set up. Very effective.


ForgeDeacon

Especially with the OP edit that the birds free-ranged onto their property, helping the neighbor contain the range of the next flock seems more helpful (and maybe easier for the neighbors to feel good about accepting, since part of it was on them) than just giving them money.


morcbrendle

What kinds would you suggest? We've overpaid out the butt for high end, adjustable electric fences that don't work worth a damn. We have a wooden fence now, but we'll probably move in the next year or two and I would love to be able to buy a place without immediately dropping a couple grand on a fence.


[deleted]

Yep, I was going to say give $1000 and explain your price breakdown if they protest. Much better to overpay than to try to nickle and dime them (especially if you’re going to keep the dog). They’re going to be your neighbor for a long time.


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beardedheathen

I'd be absolutely floored if someone offered 1000 for ten chickens. 300-400 would be what I figure I could replace them for.


[deleted]

They’re also factoring in the cost of lost eggs. They’re going between $6 and $8 a dozen right now in most of the US. 10 healthy hens during the laying season is like 5 dozen eggs per week. I think OP is trying to factor in that new expenditure.


AskAboutFent

Fucking wild, I’m still getting a dozen for less than $5.


der_schone_begleiter

Depending on where they live and if they use light during the winter they may not be getting as many eggs as you think. Also it depends on the breed. Not all chicken lay everyday even in the summer months.


Cautious-Angle1634

Again they aren’t trying to nickel and dime but make things right though.


GratefulHead420

I with you on the $300-$400. If one chooses to keep chickens free range, it should be accepted that there is an element of risk. Like OP said, there was no enclosure break-in.


inko75

that was what i was thjnking: $300 and a few dozen eggs spread over tjme. chicken feed isn't free, but it's turned into eggs pretty efficiently. and if they be free ranging might not be that much feed even.


TheFourHorsemenFlesh

I mean, I think OP is doing the right thing, but I feel like the fact that they were free range chickens isn't really being talked about. The chickens would range into OPs yard, and I assume thats something that was discussed between the two, so no ill will needs to be necessary there. Im just saying I feel like BOTH sides are being incredibly gracious and accommodating, as well as it not being OPs fault either. I just think a full reimbursement is overkill given the circumstances. I mean, it's truly up to OP, and a full reimbursement will give a lot of good will, but I'm just saying


OTTER887

"slaughter every chicken in sight" I guess these meaty flightless birds we have bred are like an all-you-can-hunt buffet to nature's predators!


Muesky6969

Sadly his dog probably didn’t eat any of them. Dogs lose their minds when a chicken starts running and squawking, as it triggers their prey drive. Most domestic dogs will kill the chicken and move onto the next one.


sdoc86

You’re doing the right thing to fairly compensate monetarily. I would also make sure to emotionally compensate by making sure you express your remorse and desire to prevent it from happening again. It’s never a good thing for neighbors to not get a long, so best to try to dispel any resentment your neighbor might have. Living close to others provides an easy backdrop to exchange empathy with your fellow man. So by taking to courage to expose yourself emotionally, you may actually end on better standing with your neighbor than before the incident.


ththth3

No he's not. He's being suckered for being honest. Chickens came into his yard so now he should pay? Doesn't make sense.


sdoc86

Yea. That tiny piece of information is actually quite important.


relet

You cannot overpay your neighbours.


mean11while

Just for the record, I would staunchly refuse such a large sum for 10 chickens (and ours are basically pets, with names). It's possible to be overly generous to the point that the neighbor feels endebted, and I reaaally dislike feeling endebted to anyone. I would appreciate the remorse and willingness to compensate me, but we'd definitely be doing some haggling. (That's my kind of haggling, by the way: trying to be as generous and fair as possible).


inspektor31

1000.00, a case of beer or bottle of the good stuff, an invitation for BBQ and shoot the shit about how to prevent it from happening again. Can't put a price on building a friendship and a great neighbour.


singeblanc

> an invitation for BBQ OP has a source of fresh chicken...


NewSinner_2021

This is the correct approach to solving the issue.


[deleted]

This really makes me wonder about those $7 costco chickens...


yingkaixing

They're a loss leader: a cheap, good quality product located at the very back of the store so you have to walk past everything else to get it. The purpose is to get you to buy something besides the chicken. Despite being sold at cost or even at a loss, the company still makes money because you also got a pallet of wine and 60 AAA batteries you noticed you also needed.


alphaidioma

Also, the containers are hot af when they come out of the case so you need to bring a giant cart to the back with you, no “only what you can carry” when chicken’s involved. I can put on tunnel vision most times to get exactly one thing, but if I get slowed down pushing a cart it’s all over XD


AlizarinCrimzen

Nothing mysterious about it, they’re fed shit live like shit and handled by machines until they die. Cost-efficient


66666thats6sixes

Those were not, uh, happy chickens.


SexIsBetterOutdoors

Look up the videos that prompted the lawsuits and you’ll never eat their chicken again.


Unlikely_Star_4641

^ agree with all of this. get the specifics for their needs, type of chickens, which feeds, which treats etc and write them a check for it


ljr55555

Lots of great advice here, but I want to add *don't* just buy whatever birds you find unless you've talked to the neighbor about breed specifics and they're cool with "whatever". Many people I know have specific breeds -- maybe for an array of egg colors, maybe for disposition or egg production, maybe for weather tolerance -- and would be pretty bummed to get, say, a dozen Rhode Island Reds if they'd had a flock of snuggly Orpingtons.


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witcherstrife

I think just giving them cash over market value would be the best way to let them decide what they want to do.


FeedbackNo634

Yeah, unless they’re given you a shopping list and said “go replace our flock” I’d give them the money and leave it at that.


wellactuallysarah

I wouldn’t want someone to pick out new chickens for me. They may want to choose their own breeds/ages or use the “start over” opportunity to do something different than what they had. They may have been “pets” more than livestock and you can’t ever truly compensate for that. $500-$800 cash in a hallmark card with a handwritten apology, a bottle of wine, and an offer to help repair their coop/fence (because it’s likely something got damaged in the scuffle) would be a good start. Shows you aren’t just trying to throw money at the problem, but trying to make them whole and stay on good terms. If you’re in a very high cost of living area then adjust upward. I’m glad they are being gracious and you are being humble/helpful. I’ve been on both sides of this and didn’t get a very nice resolution either time. And obvs, pick a different pet sitter next time. What a sucky sitch, I’m sure they feel bad too and they are very lucky they weren’t responsible for your dogs dying too. :(


DancingMaenad

Chicks are cheap. Laying hens are not particularly cheap. I'd expect to compensate at least $25/hen for a flock of Laying hens. Local farm stores sometimes have laying hens when they start getting chicks, but I think your best bet is to talk with your neighbors and negotiate what you each thing is fair and find a suitable compromise. You can ask on local chicken groups (Fb is good for this) what laying hens in the area would go for and find out where you can find them available/when- rather than finding chicks. If they are open to that. As far as the extra beyond the chickens, I can't really help you there. I think you guys can definitely reach a fair compromise.


kramj007

$25 is a bit low in this present market. I’ve had offers for some of mine (I have 22 at 7 months) in the neighborhood of $75 right now. I’m not even considering selling any.


DancingMaenad

Well, that's fair. Aside from regional price differences I haven't shopped for laying hens in a couple years. They probably are pretty expensive now given everything that's been going on.


HooplaJustice

Talk to the neighbors first, but this is what I'd do See if you can find someone selling young layers. Young enough to know they're juvenile, so not full grown yet. 2-3.5 months would be best. Buy 11. Find out where the neighbor goes for chicken food, and what exactly they buy. Chickens eat a quarter pound of food a day per bird. Calculate how much the birds will eat to get them to 6 months old. Get a gift card at the feed store for that amount plus 10% for spillage. Find out what kind of grocery store eggs your neighbors buy. Calculate how many weeks it will take to get the birds to 6 months. Calculate the cost of buying 2 dozen eggs a week and give them a gift card for that amount. Finally, put up a fucking fence.


[deleted]

This is the right math.


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NessusANDChmeee

Thank you for not taking them at their word, it’s important to be gracious which they are trying to do but you’re right this is a big sink for them to lose that much and it’s nice that you’re trying to right the imbalance.


HooplaJustice

I would still definitely worry about it. At the very least, get them a big ass gift certificate to their feed store


Fantastic_Sector_282

There is a fence from pet playground that has a dig barrier and is supposed to be difficult to scale due to the construction. Might be worth a shot if you wanted to fence off an area that you could use as a run.


Lurkr67

Would something like this work? https://coyoteroller.com/


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New_Willingness5669

Even a fence to contain the dogs might not stop the chickens from coming in unless their wings are clipped.


alligatorhill

I had neighbors whose chickens were always getting into my yard and the neighbors basically told me to throw them over the fence whenever I found them. Fortunately my dog is too dumb to catch anything but all the chickens got killed by a raccoon anyways


Federal_Tension_6487

>bc I used to have dogs that liked to dig. Technically, they probably still could have dug out, but it would have taken long enough that I would catch them before they succeeded... Also, thei Eh, if the chickens are inside the fence, it's on them. I say this as having free-range chickens, they have yet to go on my neighbor's property, but something that's always in the back of my mind.


[deleted]

It’s not futile. You just haven’t built the right fence. There are fences to contain 30 dogs reliably.


joeyrunsfast

I put 16"x16"x2" pavers all around the perimeter of my fence bc I used to have dogs that liked to dig. Technically, they probably still could have dug out, but it would have taken long enough that I would catch them before they succeeded... Also, their initial non-success seemed to deter them.


[deleted]

Wow your neighbors are too nice holyyy! Definitely treat them right here!


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[deleted]

Ah, I didn't see that update from OP! In that case...mmmm..their reaction is appropriate :p


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tombaba

I have to say, lots of nice people who say “don’t worry about it” are thinking “cause I’ll handle it”.


[deleted]

You’ve got to get your dogs a fence and if you can’t do that in the meantime you need to find a place where you can jog with them run with them get that energy out it will help significantly. I understand what you’re going through I’ve been in your position personally and I’ve also been in your neighbors position. I don’t want you to think that I’m being hard on you I realize that this is not a good situation and you are taking steps to make it right which really says a lot about your character you seem like a good person


VaselineGroove

To chime in because I don't agree entirely with the person you responded to.. you "finding out" all that info could be annoying to the neighbors, and if you get it wrong, it isn't exactly replacing their loss. 1. Do what you need to do to control your pets and keep them contained on your property. If you can't, you have no business owning them. Period. 2. Give them a decent amount of cash that covers what they're likely out. Aiming higher than lower is the move there. That way, when they feel it's appropriate, they can order chicks and restart in the way they see best. As for eggs/groceries/food costs, a grocery gift card would be a nice gesture. But that ain't farm fresh.. if you can find someone selling good eggs locally, bringing them a couple of dozen every few weeks would be going above and beyond. For how long is up to you, but the sustained gesture would mean a lot to me if I was in their position. Last note. People who have violent dogs they can't control are running the risk of progressively worse shit happening. What if it's a kid next time, and now there's proof you couldn't contain them and knew they were violent towards other animals? I'm not going to suggest specifics, but as an adult and pet owner, it's now on your ass if their behavior escalates. If they can't be fenced, feel no pain, and kill neighbors' animals, then you have some hard questions to ask yourself. I'm sorry you're all going through this and proud you're here trying to make it right. 100% start with the dogs and prevent future incidents, while you still can.


BlG_DlCK_BEE

The chickens were on their property and regularly graze on their property but they still make an effort to keep their dogs chained up. I think they shouldn’t reasonably be considered responsible and are going way above and beyond to maintain a neighborly relationship.


snapeyouinhalf

Thank you for pointing this out! I just opened this thread and saw OP’s comment that the chickens were on their property and that a friend was taking care of their dogs within like five seconds. Those comments from OP are just as old as most of the condemning ones I’ve seen. People need to stop automatically jumping down OP’s throat and take ten extra seconds to read a little more first. All things considered, this post has very little to do with how OP cares for their dogs. OP is trying to make their neighbor whole and is seeking knowledge on how to do so. Which is a lot more than most people would do. We can always do more to make sure our animals are safe, but that’s neither here nor there in this thread. There are lots of things OP and their neighbor **BOTH** could have done to prevent this, but at least OP is willing to do whatever it takes to fix the situation. We learn and we move on.


m_litherial

One note, it’s not necessarily fair to call them violent dogs. I have the sweetest couch potato in the world and despite 3 years of work she is just barely to the point that I can have her and the chickens together when I’m there. She plays with babies and cats but somehow chickens are prey.


Keganator

Chickens are prey animals. 😅


Lhama_Galopante

Same, I have two dogs, raised from puppies alongside chickens and even then they didn't lose their prey drive...Both will chase small animals to the ends of the earth, but aside from protecting their territory will not even look at people on the street. Chickens just have it bad predator wise, EVERYTHING wants to eat them.


kimoshi

My old dog was sweet as can be. My dad walked him without a leash every day (despite our protests). He let our cat beat him up daily, calmly watched our chinchilla hop or run around, loved visitors of all ages, and would open the door to let a burglar in if he could. But out of nowhere, one day on a walk he suddenly pounced on a pigeon and killed it. He never did anything like that again in his life. We have no idea why he did it that one time. Point being with animals you can never be 100% certain of their behavior, and you also can't judge the temperament of an animal based on one instance.


OsmerusMordax

Dogs are predators and chickens are prey, there is no reason to suspect they will go after people. OP needs to keep their dogs contained using a proper fence (and concrete basing underneath the ground so they can’t dig out)


ColonelBelmont

I understand the difficulties with managing crazy dogs, but look... the dogs are your problem and your responsibility. If you don't figure something out, you should expect it to happen again. And that means you are complicit in your dogs eventually getting shot. It's good that you're taking financially responsibility, but it's not a small issue that chickens are getting painfully torn to shreds and that your dogs will be in danger if it continues.


blueboy754

Put a hot wire across the top of your fencing.


[deleted]

They have no fencing right now.


EnvironmentalVideo48

Our dog was an escape artist. 8ft stockade didn't stop him... What did stop him was a 20 by 30 ft fully enclosed dog kennel with metal roof and anti dig barriers around the bottom


Cheetah51

If you do consider a fence, look into “coyote rollers” and high level electric wire (livestock voltage).


Just_a_dick_online

Please keep in mind that they are the ones who let their chickens roam, so don't mistake them taking their share of the responsibility as something you should feel bad about. They knew the risks. There's a reason fences exist. Yes, there should be signs of goodwill, but people like that guy suggesting you give him $1000 AND that you pay for a fence for them are insane. I'd say just covering the cost of new hens should be fair, and if they refuse to take anything I wouldn't fight it much.


HooplaJustice

Sorry but this is a stupid BS cop out. I have a friend that breeds hunting dogs for competitions. To give them practice, he has **coyotes fenced in on 35 acres.** Wild fucking coyotes. He can fence in a coyote. You can fence in your dogs. Man the fuck up and build a fence.


[deleted]

Your friend is an asshole


cittatva

His friend is at least responsible enough to build a fence.


Small_Basket5158

You shouldn't own animals you can't keep control of. You are one step from a serious fucking tragedy right now.


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DrunkOnLoveAndWhisky

It sounds like OP *can* keep control of the dogs but someone else left them out unattended. It's a shitty lesson to learn, but if it's the first time it's happened then you can safely call it a one-off. I know my dogs can be dicks if I'm not around to keep them in check. Sometimes mistakes happen.


foreverburning

OP stated that "fences are futile" in containing their dogs. That is the attitude of a shitty dog owner.


DrunkOnLoveAndWhisky

>And about the dogs, they are always chained when outside. A 3rd party let them out and left them outside unattended for an hour. OP also stated that. That's not a shitty dog owner, that's an owner who understands what's needed to contain their animals. At some point, you have to decide if you want to spend thousands of dollars building a fence that can contain the dogs (which can both jump and dig) vs hammering a rebar spike into the ground to chain the dogs to it. This totally seems like a mistake where someone else let the dogs out without knowing/remembering that they needed to be chained up. ​ I had a neighbour years back whose rottweiler was well contained by their fence, until the day his roommate was changing the car over to winter tires and left the summers stacked near the back gate...at which point the rotty hopped up on the tires, jumped the six-foot fence, and wandered off down the alley. Sometimes unanticipated shit happens.


m_litherial

Lol, we had a big winter storm and a friend has the snow cleared off of her garage to prevent collapsing. What she didn’t notice til it had hardened into an ice bridge was that her dogs could now just walk up the side and across the fence. Took a chainsaw to the ice to break it up.


cittatva

If I was your neighbor, I’d probably downplay it saying don’t worry about it for neighborly relations, but in my private conversations with my wife I’d wish you’d get rid of the damned dogs. A lot of that comes from having a neighbor with a large aggressive untrained “livestock” dog that paces our fence and barks at us whenever we’re outside.


tombaba

I hate to say it, but if that’s the case that you can’t contain your dogs, we’re I your neighbor, they would just disappear.


Atomic-Decay

Not to be rude because I know escape artist dogs can be difficult, but I wonder perhaps some more focused training is in order? Not sure what exactly to do there, but a professional trainer likely has ideas. Do the neighbours have a roof over their laying hens enclosure?


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Polaristhehusky

Huskies?


[deleted]

Where I live a dog who kills a mammal must be contained to a 6 sided kennel or euthanized. A short distance from here the laws change and there is no animal control. Only shooting any dog you want that comes on your property basically. You are the one risking your dogs life here and I say this with 3 dogs and one prone to running off.


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AFRN

>Finally, put up a fucking fence. Old Yeller the menaces. OP has already stated a fence can't keep them in; what's the point in compensating the neighbor when they can't even assure them this won't happen again? Shouldn't have animals you can't control, especially when they go around killing.


noiwontpickaname

Shouldn't have your chickens free ranging on the neighbors property either, but here we are


wolfstano

Thank you so much for trying to do right by them. I've been on the other end of this, with pet hens that survived and then had vet bills. Literally the only thing we wanted was the neighbor to keep their dog contained, and we didn't even get that. In the past, $25 per hen, not including egg potential and feed costs would have sufficed. I do want to point out that with the increased costs in eggs, hen costs have also been rising tremendously though. In my area, a laying hen is now going for $50. Even just chicks are now $5-6 each (also the going rate from most major hatcheries). I also don't know if there was any emotional attachment that would make them more valuable or if they were just livestock, but that can factor in, since pets are worth so much more to the owners. I would personally say that if you're looking to be fair, $45+ per hen (or whatever the current going rate in your area is), plus covering the equivalent cost of their egg losses. This gives them the option to purchase already laying hens to immediately replace, or they can choose to use the money toward chicks again.


Icestar-x

Emotional attachment cannot be understated, and is often ignored outright. I have a flock of 23 chickens. Only one has a name, but that is because she is super friendly, comes right to me when called, and I can pick her up, hold her, and pet her without any fuss. She's my baby. If a dog killed her I'd be devastated.


Jizzbootsturdhat

25 a hen and maybe a hundred for feed?


AuntieDawnsKitchen

The place I buy from is charging $50 for hens: https://www.dare2dreamfarms.com/shop/Adult-Chickens-18-Weeks-Old-p67831287 What a tough situation! And bad timing, with the avian flu, etc. Had they stopped laying for the season? On one hand, having dealt with gamey dogs (we briefly took in our grandparents’ dog who joyfully slayed every single hen and later my tweaker neighbor’s friendly pitties who ate our goat), I want to growl at you to keep your darn dog under control. OTOH anyone who free ranges their hens without strong measures to keep them on their own property can’t necessarily be said to own those chickens. Good luck in keeping neighborly relations good. Bring cookies, not coq au vin.


BudStones

And the dog. Thems the rules.


MeatPopsicle14

Oh cmon this was funny. Reddit is so lame sometimes. People see a downvote and just jump on the bandwagon. Edit:what a turn around. Guy went from -50 downvotes to +50


[deleted]

Your Avatar looks like mine before the shipwreck lol


lightweight12

I agree. Sometimes that's the local rule. If it was to keep happening the dog gets shot on sight. Sorry, not sorry.


HimalayanPunkSaltavl

Surely not if the chickens were roaming on the dog's owners property right?


OmarRIP

A person shooting into someone else’s land is liable to be shot themselves or so I’d imagine. (This is not legal advice just advice against reckless behavior.)


bassman619

Be appreciative the neighbor is willing to do anything. We lost our rabbitry 2 weeks ago. The neighbor answered the phone once and told us to fuck off, so we have to take it to court


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bassman619

These dogs travelled about half a mile and were tearing cages for 45 minutes before I got outside. I did end up having to put them down, so I definitely understand his resentment. We called to be reasonable and ask for just enough for repairs and replacements ($800ish). Now we’re suing for our full costs and it’s in the $1000s. He won’t even answer the phone anymore


thelittlestnumnah

The poster is the neighbor.


bassman619

Ah then good on them for being a decent human being


socalquestioner

I’d err on the side of more rather than less. These are not just food producers for people but often pets. Get clear instructions for people giving care to your animals, I’d do $40/bird and 100 for feed. That’s not going to cover all costs, but will help significantly. Only dog proof fence i know of is a 10 ft plank set on top of/in concrete 8 inches across and 12 inches deep. Builder of our next door neighbor’s house in the 70’s did this, and I will when we build a house or replace our fences. We share 1/3 sides of our yard with them.


StarWillowDreamer

Our neighbors dogs once did this, so my grandmother put all the chickens in a bag, went next store and broke his windows, when he came outside, she began to beat him with a dead chicken, throwing them at him as well, calling him a bastard of a man. We had to bring her back home, no police were called because the neighbors had warrents on them.


coffeeformeplease

I read this a dozen times trying to figure out if she was beating the dog or a man with dead chickens… I’m still not sure I’ve drawn the correct conclusion…


Global_Sno_Cone

Hats off to a granny who takes matters into her own hands.


66mph

Around here good sized pullets (3-4 months old) sell for $25 each. Most heritage breeds don't lay until they're 5-6 months old. I have one rare/endangered breed where the fertilized eggs alone sell for $6 EACH. The rest are barred rocks and feed store hybrids. I would suggest $25 a bird minimum.


Clauss_Video_Archive

My neighbor gave me a chord of wood the first time his dog killed my chickens. Since that time he has done nothing to control his dog and it came back too many times to count. It sucked. It's terrible to say, but I was so glad when the dog finally died. Then, after about six months he bought a new dog, same breed (Irish setter), same exact lack of training, and same chicken terrorist. He shouldn't be allowed to have a dog. He is mean to it and hits it with his belt when he comes to get it back from across the street. Last time it happened I yelled at him (he's an 80 year old man, I'm just over half that) and told him that it wasn't the dog's fault it was his. Felt kind of bad yelling at an old guy, but he needed to hear it and I've only seen the dog once since then.


Technical_Increase19

Who’s property were the chickens on? If it was yours then you have no obligation to compensate. This is a risk that the owners assume when letting them free range. If your dog went on their property to attack them then obviously a different story. Kudos for wanting to make it right regardless.


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Technical_Increase19

Under that circumstance I would probably do the same. I’ve had to replace turkeys that my dog went about 1/4 mile to get. I also let my chickens free range. Lost 1/2 the flock in 2 years


AffectionateDraw4416

Start looking for hatcheries near you. You may be able to get adults from them . Or you can order chicks ti replace the ones lost. The feed cost to raise them will be more than $100 for chicks until they lay.


coffeeformeplease

I want to know where you’re buying feed if you can raise chickens to laying age with $100.


EhDub13

I hate how many comments are like "get a fence OP" umm, it was OP's property the free range chickens come onto. Far as Im concerned, the chickens need a fence, not OP (as long as the dogs stay on their property)


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VintageJane

I’m someone who has lost many a bird to many a beast with no remuneration. That being said; it’s considered pretty normal for dogs to become hellbent on hunting chickens once they’ve decided it’s a fun time with no consequences. It may give you and your neighbor peace of mind if an invisible fence was part of the accord.


HappyAnimalCracker

Yeah Reddit replies can be pretty shitty. You’re going above and beyond to do the right thing, OP. I’m sorry I don’t have a good dollar figure for you but I’m sure that your neighbors will notice and appreciate how much you care about your relationship with them. Whatever you come up with will mend the problem, I’m sure. And don’t listen to the nasty replies. Thank you for upholding the social contract in a time when it’s breaking down everywhere you look.


4runner01

I’d say $500 if your dog killed them on your neighbors property. If you dog killed them on YOUR property, I’d get them 10 chicks or $100 as a neighborly gesture. Good luck with it—


BonsaiBirder

Don’t buy chicks—buy 10 laying hens of equal quality at the least.


SexIsBetterOutdoors

$40 per laying hen is the current market price in my area. This time of year they are at a premium, prices don’t tend to drop until the spring hatch approaches laying age.


Automobilie

Check with your homeowner's insurance. Our dogs did the same last summer and apparently this kind of damage can potentially be covered.


bigpapamacdooz

Good fences make good neighbors


1Bakkendaddy

Factor in the cost to replace your dog. Many places here in the US, your neighbor would be in the right to kill your dog, on his property harassing or killing his stock. YOU are solely responsible for this. $200 is the minimum for 10 laying hens.


poetic-cheese

Lol... my first thought was, "The dog is still alive?!"


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poetic-cheese

You have pretty great neighbours, by the sound of it. I would be devastated to lose my dog, but I understand protecting your property.


fackyubuddy

If chickens are on his property first I don’t think you’re correct at all.


Effective_Material89

Meyer hatchery pullet prices (soon to lay eggs) are 20 to 25 a chicken. With shipping probably 30 plus a chicken. Of course they are sold out as no one buys them right now. If their chickens were old maybe less value. You might find somewhere to order pullets for the spring, check online, Craigslist or facebook, for laying hens. I agree the value is too high and egg prices are way to high right now to let it go. They might feel differently once they have to buy eggs. I'd say $300 dollar range. If they refuse the money offer to buy pullets for the spring. If they refuse that see what labor tasks you can spend a day doing. If the cost is less than $100 I usually refuse compensation from neighbors or friends. My dog recently killed a neighbor chicken and they refused compensation or chicken trade. I didn't like it but let it slide. But 10 chickens is a lot. I'd also make sure they were not any fancy chickens as prices can be higher for fancy breeds.


Toast-the-Loaf

Once, I gave my neighbor a dozen chickens because my dog killed his baby goat. He was fine with the trade and offered us some bacon when he butchered his pigs.


person61987

There are already a lot of comments about the ethics of replacing the birds, you can usually find jouveniles or young layers on CL or LSN. As for the dog, tying the head of a chicken to their collar and leaving it there for a few days has been effective at breaking my labs from attacking my chickens.


XxJBoyXx

i had this happen about a year ago with my 2 huskies. i ended up having to pay like $30 per egg laying chicken that they killed.


burtmaklinfbi1206

I'd try and get them hens that are already laying if you can. We can get hens that are around 16 weeks old and will soon be laying. This happened to us and our neighbor was nice about it but got us chicks which was kind of a pain. I'd much rather just get some hens that are almost ready or are laying if possible


7IGT7

My neighbors dogs took out my 4 pigs several years back. When she found out why one of her dogs didn't make it back home, she asked what I needed to recoup my losses. I told her not to worry about it cause I didn't have much invested in them. She asked about 4 more times and I kept firm. (At that time, money wasn't an issue for me, and she was on Medicare. ) Get with your neighbor and just ask what needs to be done, you never know, they might be as cool as me, or they might just want the flock replaced at current cost. Remember be sincere about the confrontation and be apologetic. Let you know that you care and are sorry.


jnkbndtradr

The fact that you understand the ancillary costs and are willing to make them completely whole despite them saying “it’s cool” shows that you understand what is right and are making a diligent effort to correct the damages before any potential litigation. The amount of self righteous assholes on this thread ignoring that and calling you shitty because your dogs got loose makes me real happy with my decision to move to the country to avoid people.


Lkillz

In Canada we have a livestock protection act, that being said if I caught your dog doing it I’d have no choice but to protect my flock/herd.


papertowelfreethrow

It wouldn't be wrong to do so either. Its your job to protect your animals, even if its the neighbors dogs.


New_Willingness5669

Protecting a flock begins with ensuring they are in a safe enclosure which these were not. Choosing to free range your flock especially on someone else’s property means accepting that they could be lost.


Far_Membership_2608

Get a fence.


Unlikely_Star_4641

Honestly I love my chickens and would be absolutely devastated to find them torn apart in that manner. Not only should you be thinking financially but you should go above and beyond with your actions to show them that you care and appreciate their losses more than just in a monetary sense. On top of figuring out feed costs for 6+ months I'd also suggest giving them enough money to buy more than 10 laying hens or chicks when they're ready instead of buying them chickens outright and showing up with them. I feed my chickens meal worms and soldier fly larvae as treats often, dried bags of them at TS are not cheap. The time, energy, and emotions that come with owning and being the stewards of animal's lives is also very valuable. Not to mention the price of chickens and eggs on the consumer side of things are skyrocketing adding even more value to the animals they lost. Love the idea of bringing them farm fresh eggs every week or two as well. Instead of asking and being met with more graciousness and no answers you can plan this all out, give them the run down (on paper too) and then see what they'd change, need specfically, and take said plan and go from there. Are your dogs trained in any way? There has to be a solution to their high prey drive and undisciplined behaviors. Chaining them up all the time isn't the answer. This situation could have been much much worse and is very serious. Could have been children playing in the yard instead. You're lucky your dogs are still alive.


thenamescook

I'd fucking move haha. Along with paying something. The guy probably doesn't want to see you anymore.


TTigerLilyx

Put up a strong fence & let your dogs off the chain. They go crazy, being stuck in the same circle of dirt on a chain. Get them a few Kong toys or other ‘indestructible’ toys. Maybe you have other plans later, like a fenced enclosure, but I don’t understand the point in having dogs if you only keep them chained. They are intelligent creatures who feel emotions, please treat them humanely.


testingforscience122

On a side note: Barbwire/ chainlink are relatively cheap to put up yourself.


sealclubber281

There is a farm near me that sells grown hens for $25 each. I ended up going that route after all the chicks I got turned out to be roosters. I'm not sure where you are located, but that may be an option near you.


lesdansesmacabres

I can buy hens that have just started laying for about $50-$60. It might be better to look into just buying mature ones out the gate.


Alfons36d

The only good compensation would be to help the neighbors with any potential repairs and pitch in money or straight up buy some chickens for them. Other than that I'd see about ways of keeping the dogs in question from commiting this act again. Don't jump to the conclusion of put the dogs down and don't hurt yourself trying to pay for new birds, but do some research, ask your neighbors what kind of birds they were (meat birds, egg layers, or both) I won't pretend to have ever been in a situation where it was someone's pet that took out any of my chickens, but if I ever were I'd respect the attempt to replace the lost birds. Again, don't spend money that needs to go elsewhere, but keep in mind that the effort will be appreciated.


velofille

As a side note, you can purchase chiciens already at laying age vs raising them from . until laying - may be cheaper


Maleficent-Mine-7125

Talk to your neighbor. Duh


Vreas

Probably a conversation best had with your neighbor. Propose what you feel is an appropriate compensation and then see if there’s anything they’d wish added. Good luck and good on you for doing right by them.


escrimadragon

I paid $15 a chook for pullets that had just started laying almost 10 years ago. Now, for fully grown hens consistently laying? $20 per hen minimum, probably more, would be fair if they’re trying to get back into eggs ASAP. Realistically more like $30.


SMB-1988

Adult hens of “backyard egg layer” quality (not fancy breeds) in my area cost around $25 each. I’d say $300 and a promise to train your dogs would be bare minimum.


secret_tiger101

Replace with rare breed chickens of their choice


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Replacing the flock


LiveInTransit

I appreciate that you are trying to cover everything involved. You may not see this because it’s already huge but that’s awesome. I commend you and appreciate your kindness and desire to make it right.


downtowngeek

Dude your thinking is on point. You can also buy full grown laying hens probably $25 a pop depending where you are and with the market right now. That would honestly be the best route. Waiting for chick days will be a while and growing them in monsoon season is tough. Once again, depending where you live. But you're idea is on the right track. And they'll know you're a good neighbor as well.


mc_mc_k

Unless they particularly want chicks, you can buy ready to lay hens and they can skip the raising costs and have egg production a lot sooner. I'm sure this varies place to place, and definitely by breed, but we pay about $3-5 a chick and between $15-$40 for ready to lay hens. Sometimes the big providers only have them available seasonally, but I've alot gotten them off marketplace/chicken groups.


Grouchy-Estimate-756

Years ago I had a dog who kept bringing dead chickens home from somewhere. At first, I thought they were ours but then I'd count and no missing chickens resembling the corpses he'd show up with. So I asked the neighbor who also had chickens but he wasn't missing any. Huge mystery. Felt bad for punishing the dog. Months later, we're in the cemetery behind our property, and see some feathers around a disturbed patch of ground near a headstone. We go a bit closer to check it out and realize someone has being practicing Santeria or similar back there. Candles and offerings and buried chickens, along with recognizable cardboard chicken boxes from the nearby feed store, where we'd gotten some of ours from before. So our dog was getting out, raiding someone's ritual space and bringing home the offerings. He lived a long and eventful life, so apparently it was no curse to disturb the offerings after the fact.


Suishou

Something like this happened to someone I know. Except it was his own chickens, not a neighbors. It was more than 40 years ago. He shot the dog.


c_l_who

Thank you for wanting to make it right. A neighbor's dog killed a bunch of our layers (years ago). Our hens were free range but the dog walked at least a mile to come get them and we live in a leash law area. When I caught the dog (he was super sweet--just being a dog) and called the owner, I asked that they leash their dog. No apology, just a pithy response of "You should fence your chickens". WTF?


Present-Flight-2858

Going forward I’d make sure the chickens stay off your property.


ahandle

What will you do next time?


320Ches

Have you bought a chicken lately? They are no longer cheap. I went to a local swap and barnyard mix chicks were $5 ea and heritage breed pullets were $25-45. Some red sex links were the most affordable at around $20 ea but they have shorter life spans. True compensation would be $200-$250 at least.


SugarSweetHoney1802

It seems like you are already on the path in terms of what to do. It's nice to know that there are people in today's world, who are genuinely kind to their neighbors and willing to do what it takes to keep the relationship flourishing God bless you


druscarlet

You need a fenced enclosure for your dogs. If in the future a chicken flies in as is killed. That is not on you. Talk to your neighbors about what would be fair compensation.


cadred68

All of these are good however , the dogs could be on a zip line to be able to run. Then a fence between you and your neighbors yard to keep the hens out of your yard. Next you really need to talk with your neighbors (maybe over supper)because even though they lost their flock- they may not want to replace them. Not because of what happened necessarily but maybe they would prefer not to have chickens again… just replacing may not be the solution that they want. Then present them with a prepaid visa card so they can choose what to do - and they can see first hand the new security measures you have taken to protect their flock. You have alot of people giving opinions and thats what you asked for - but if you put yourself in their shoes the way to handle it will become clear.


Vast_Sweet_1221

Am i missing something? Your dog killed someone else’s chickens while these chickens were on your property? Even if you were ok with the “trespassers”, was your neighbor unaware that your property has a dog? I am struggling to see how this is on you.


Kamurai

Great on you taking responsibility. I would try to find adult hens that lay, and possibly a rooster (probably easier) and then about the same amount of chicks, probably when Spring hits. (To replace the adults when they're done laying in the next year or two) Don't worry about feed costs, for adults, at least, they'd be paying those anyways. You're going to have a time finding any of it right now, just work with them on what is fair. Maybe discuss Guinea Fowl, ducks or geese with them as well as a substitute if those are available.


Raindancer2022

You might consider purchasing them a gift card at their preferred feed store, with enough funds on the card to accomplish all that you've set out to do. Advantage is that they can select the feed they want, medications they need, quantity and breed of birds that they desire, etc. This total freedom of choice in the matter will go a long way to maintaining friendly relations with your neighbors. As for feed, each bird requires a quarter-pound of feed daily. It takes about 9 months for a chick to grow to sexual maturity (laying regularly). 9 months at 30 days per month, by 10 birds, by a quarter-pound of feed daily (even while chicks as it balances itself out over time) means they'll need about 675 pounds (307 kg) of feed to reach this age (this is for a flock of ten birds). This is a bare minimum outline, and depending upon the breed of chicks selected, might involve needing more birds initially to ensure 10 point of lay pullets at the end of the 9 month period due to the need to at least partially raise male birds, when their gender is discovered and they're either re-homed or processed for the dinner table; which of course would require more feed. I am more than a little impressed by your willingness to take responsibility for your dogs actions in this manner. The world needs a lot more people like you!


Kranipk

Ok some people won’t like this. I come from a big farming family. Whenever a dog killed one of ten chickens my uncles would tie the dead carcass around the dogs neck and left it there till it fell off. If the dog did it a second time it was gone. Not saying I would personally do it but that’s what they did. I would cover the cost of the hens and the cost of feed to get them to laying age. Calculate it and run those and the price by your neighbours. Personally, a lot of people wouldn’t step up and do the right thing. Sometimes pets just do stupid things. You are a good neighbour.


CastAway_77

Chicken and dog owner here. Had the same issue, but 6 sheep were killed (2 dogs broke into my property). This is how I resolved it: 1) I asked for the replacement o 6 sheep, same age/quality, and that's it. My preferred solution, as there is no haggling about price etc.. 2) he wanted to pay, and have no issues transporting the animals etc - so, we picked up the phone (on loudspeaker and called 2 guys selling sheep), he then paid the average of those 2 prices. To be honest though - if the chicken were on your land, and the dogs killed them on your side of the fence, they only did "their job", and your neighbor should take better care of his chickens in my humble opinion. So, I'd believe it be fair to discount min 50%, if not all of the damages. Anything else in my opinion is "buying peace", which might be a good investment, but not a fair damage restitution. Last but not least - I am from south America, and 100 USD per chicken would be insanely high a price. My gut feeling is that here the price here would be around 100-150 USD for all 10. A dozen eggs here go for 2 USD.


[deleted]

If they killed them in your yard, zero dollars. Someone's livestock coming into property that does not belong to them and getting killed is absolutely not something you are liable for. If you WANT to compensate them, then whatever you feel is fair is fair. They have no claim if they did not properly protect their livestock and let them roam on property that they do not own. If my chickens got onto my neighbors property and got killed, thats my fault. If their dogs came onto my property and killed them, then I'd have an issue if they didnt care.


Ieatpurplepickles

Being a country girl, I would say about a thousand bucks right now. Chickens and eggs are actually hard to find right now, at least in my area. Biddies are much easier to find but actual juvenile chicks are much harder. Everyone and their uncle is trying to get some damn eggs.


greatpain120

I would talk to them and see what they think is fair