Is this normal behavior for my Rooster?

[Carli]

I realize roosters need to take care of their male business but ours is chasing our hens around the pen constantly. I watched this morning as he grabbed on to the back of their necks and hopped on. He couldn't get one of the hens by the neck so he grabbed her by the tail and just held on as she tried to run away. Only two or three of the hens came out of the coop while he was doing this. Normally when I unlock the coop in the AM, they all come rushing out. I think the hens were scared! Do I interfere here? Or is this what is to be expected...let nature takes it's course?

 

[17roses]

Quote:
This is normal however there are roosters that are particularly rough. I only intervene if the girls start missing feathers or are looking really stressed. If this rooster is new or is just "coming into it's own" the girls may be scared because this is new. Some people have their hens in saddles (sold here on BYC) to prevent damage. Personally since I dont have purebreds, I only keep the roosters that are good with the girls and I never tolerate aggressiveness torwards me or other people. That's just me. Roosters are a dime a dozen. It is the hens I must protect.