Don't worry, there's a steep learning curve. I'm not sure it matters with hens, but with roosters, yes*. Coddling a cockerel will make it too comfortable with you and when hormones hit, he has no fear of you and turns into a menace. Cockerels tend to be a little bolder so people mistakenly...
Chop him. Your kids are worth more than a stupid chicken.
And if you have more cockerels in your chicks, no special treatment, no picking up, the petting, treat him like livestock.