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Some feather loss is normal and is not a concern. The next phase is bare spots beginning to show up, either on the back, on the top of the wings, or on the back of the head. This is not a case for panic but you should start to watch and maybe take some action. It takes some judgment on your part as to how critical it is getting. The critical, I better do something right now, phase is if you see blood or raw flesh.
I have no idea what to do if the problem is on the back of the head. A saddle can help if the problem is on the back. Trimming spurs and cutting off the sharp tip of his claws can help both the back and the top of the wings. Some people think this is mutilation of the rooster, but I find it is like trimming your toenails. As long as you don't go deep enough to get to the quick, it does not hurt him at all.
What often appears to be mistreatment to us is really just instinct to the chickens. Some roosters are just brutes and bullies. No other good way to describe them. Many go through that phase when they are adolescents but outgrow it as their hormones calm, their technique gets better, and the hens cooperate more.
Usually, if you have any barebacked hens, it is only a few, not all. Some people think a rooster picks out his favorites and overmates with them. I think it is more that certain hens like to hang out close to the rooster so they are more of a target of opportunity. Maybe a bit of both. I think the size difference plays a big part. My smaller hens are the ones with the problem, not my larger hens. A hen will more willingly submit to a rooster that treats her right, that gets her treats, protects her, dances for her instead of just pounce, does all the things that a good rooster is supposed to do when he is wooing a girl. For a hen to more willingly submit, the rooster needs to overwhelm her with his personality. That's where the adolescent roosters often get into trouble. Until they get a certain amount of maturity, the hen's personality dominates theirs, yet the hormones are raging and they are big enough physically to force the hen. What's a boy to do? If the rooster's hormomes demand he do his instinctive duty and fertilize those eggs and the hen does not cooperate, it can get pretty physical. But them I have that Australorp (physically very small) that will squat for anything wearing spurs and she is missing some feathers. I'm pretty sure it is more complicated than I made it sound.
Bottom line is that a few feathers flying or even a small bare spot is not a big deal. But the bigger those bare spots get, the more serious it gets. It is not a problem in most flocks, but it can be a deadly problem when it gets serious.
Hope this helps.
