That looks like a healthy young cockerel. Six weeks is a pretty standard age for a broody hen to start weaning her chicks. Six weeks is really young for puberty issues to hit but that one looks really well developed. He may be an early bloomer.
I've had broody hens totally cut off all their chicks when they wean them. I can't recall ever seeing a hen wean some and not others. I've had broody hens stop sleeping with the chicks at night but continue to take care of them during the day. I've had hens stop taking care of her chicks during the day but still sleep with them on the roost and protect them from the rest of the flock. Chickens are just not consistent, you can never be sure of what they might do.
It's a good observation and a good question, but I don't see that you have anything to worry about. To me this falls in the realm of what makes observing chickens so much better than what is on cable, antenna, or satellite. Chicken TV can be extremely entertaining.
I've had broody hens totally cut off all their chicks when they wean them. I can't recall ever seeing a hen wean some and not others. I've had broody hens stop sleeping with the chicks at night but continue to take care of them during the day. I've had hens stop taking care of her chicks during the day but still sleep with them on the roost and protect them from the rest of the flock. Chickens are just not consistent, you can never be sure of what they might do.
It's a good observation and a good question, but I don't see that you have anything to worry about. To me this falls in the realm of what makes observing chickens so much better than what is on cable, antenna, or satellite. Chicken TV can be extremely entertaining.
