I would decrease the handling and petting as much as you can. Don't let him get carried around by the kids.
If he is usually a flighty bird, and he is currently letting you handle him/pet him ect, he is not letting you do this because he likes it, but because he is really sore and tired, and is too weak and hurt to squawk/flap/kick/struggle.
The best thing you can do for a semi tame chicken that has pecking injuries is provide a warm, safe, quiet place to heal and provide nutritious and tempting food to give him energy.
Don't cuddle and pet him, let him rest and heal. Keep the well meaning kids away, other than to peek at him from afar. And decide which rooster you want to keep, so you all don't have to go through this again...
If you want to tame him, handle him lots after he has recovered from his injuries. He will be better prepared to deal with the stress. Do handle him enough to daily inspect his wounds to make sure none are getting infected, and to make sure he is eating/drinking/pooping.
If he is usually a flighty bird, and he is currently letting you handle him/pet him ect, he is not letting you do this because he likes it, but because he is really sore and tired, and is too weak and hurt to squawk/flap/kick/struggle.
The best thing you can do for a semi tame chicken that has pecking injuries is provide a warm, safe, quiet place to heal and provide nutritious and tempting food to give him energy.
Don't cuddle and pet him, let him rest and heal. Keep the well meaning kids away, other than to peek at him from afar. And decide which rooster you want to keep, so you all don't have to go through this again...
If you want to tame him, handle him lots after he has recovered from his injuries. He will be better prepared to deal with the stress. Do handle him enough to daily inspect his wounds to make sure none are getting infected, and to make sure he is eating/drinking/pooping.