Hens are Picking on the Rooster

[Astrid]

Hi there,
I have a backyard flock of 8 hens and one rooster. Five of the hens and the rooster are six months old, hatched 8/1: Two Silver Laced Wyandottes, two Buff Orpingtons, one Speckled Sussex hen and the roo is a Speckled Sussex as well. Three of the hens are barred rocks, 2.5 years old. I've never had a roo before and he was an "oops" in my order of all pullets, so I"m not sure what's considered "normal" roo/hen dynamics.

The older Rock hens are picking on the roo. One hen in particular, bigger than the rest and with a comb and wattle that rivals the roo's will sometimes turn on the roo, who is keeping his distance, and suddenly grab him by the comb and be really aggressive with him. He raises his hackles (never seen THAT before!) and tries to fight back but though he's bigger than her, he seems to be thoroughly intimidated by him. I haven't seen him try to mount any of the three older girls, all of whom feel similarly toward him as the Head Rock. I have seen him try to mount one of the six month old girls, though, but she wasn't very receptive.

So is this normal behavior or not? Do I need to worry that it'll turn dangerous?
Things were so much easier with girls!

astrid

 

[Vamvakas]

Barred Rock hens are very picky and mean. I have 2 mature Barred hens around 3-4 years old. I have tall big rooster that is 2.5-3.5 years old prob almost 15 lbs he wont even mate with them cause they're mean to younger chickens and barred hens wont neal down to there king (the rooster). So my rooster will sometimes peak them.