Do I have to have a rooster?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

He’s 6 months and so bad!! He is constantly on their backs and beats their heads to the ground. It breaks my heart. I know it’s a part of it but he pulls feathers at time.

It'll really depend on the bird. I might have lucked out with mine.

My flock is about 15 months old. Got them all at the same time. Ended up with 1 surprise cockerel, and his 13 pullets. But no adult flock to mentor them. And fortunately he's been good.

 

[FrostRanger]

He’s 6 months and so bad!! He is constantly on their backs and beats their heads to the ground. It breaks my heart. I know it’s a part of it but he pulls feathers at time.

At 6 months, you have a cockerel, not a mature rooster. I'd separate him for a few weeks to see if he calms down. If he doesn't calm down a bit in a few months I'd make that separation permanent. Usually, but not always, males will calm down a bit once they mature (at about a year to a year and half old), sometimes though a roo is just a brute

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It's entirely up to you. As you can tell by the responses so far, no, a rooster (or cockerel) is not necessary in a flock. And a rough one that upsets the hens - and you - is absolutely not needed!

But how to get rid of him may be your next concern.