young rooster seems a bit nasty ??

[bantamenace]

Just noticed this week that my 18 week old australorp bantam rooster is picking on 3 of our females. He either pushes them with his foot or he grabs them on the back of the neck and sort of drags them to the ground. They respond by running away and making alot of what seems to be very angry chicken noises.
1 of the girls he doesnt go near at all but the other 3 seems to be in his way all the time.
Is this normal young rooster behaviour or is it a sign that he needs to go quickly ? Any advice would be great as this is our first lot of chickens. Thanks so much

 

[Becky_H]

That's a sign that he's trying to mate and he hasn't quite figured it out yet -- and the girls are inexperienced enough to not quite know either. They'll get it worked out.

 

[bantamenace]

thanks that is interesting, i hadnt quite thought they were up to that stage yet. Thanks very much