This is what I taught both my sons (2 and 4 years old) and we've never had trouble between them and our 2 BLR wyandotte Roos. My youngest tells no, and 'pecks' them back. Its adorable. But they're also always supervised, essentially since neither is great about closing gates...
Also keep in mind that your birds still have their juvenile pattern. My SLW (also from TSC) were all mostly black when they were little, but after their first adult molt, some of their lacing was surprisingly decent. With hatchery quality birds it can be a crap shoot of genetics, but...
Mine are 3 days old and brooding outside. It all depends on your climate. Mine are typically off all supplemental heat by 3 weeks. If your weather is decent they can be outside happily, very early. There are some great threads on here about integrating birds (if you have a preexisting flock). If...
I would also suggest finding out if you are in a 'fence in' or 'fence out' county before dropping the money on a lawyer. 'Fence isn't he is required by law to keep his animals on his property, 'fence out' if you don't like them in your yard, it is your responsibility to figure out how to keep...
To me, a simple peck is not worth culling him over, he's just doing his job, warning you to back off his hens without being excessively violent. If he escalates, then I'd cull him.
Also wanted to point out that what the state (TAHC) requires is different than NPIP. The NPIP info and TAHC info above are both great places to start if you're planning to sell birds, if you just want to keep a certified clean flock, all you need is NPIP.
I only know because I work in regulatory animal health and had to work this outbreak. I agree with biosecurity and not vaccines as first line of defense with birds. In fact all the literature we passed out stressed biosecurity and didn't even mention the vaccine, the only time we asked if they...
Not strictly true, it was in Southern California in 2003 as well. It pops up occasionally there or a few other places about once a decade. The disease has no cure, and is terminal, once one member of your flock has it, it will kill them all. The vaccine also has limited effectiveness, and has to...
I'm going to be honest, she's never going to have a great quality of life, no matter how much or well you care for her. This is a breed which is known for leg problems as they age (slowly collapsing under their own weight) and she's already ahead of the game.
There are plenty of people on here...