Pulley or cockerel black star?

[Aneale]

I can't tell you how to parent, but I'd tell them to not be cowardly and get out there and clean. It's a baby chicken, not a cobra.
She's just curious, she wants to examine you carefully, she's just a baby.

It’s our first flock of chickens so we are learning! Wasn’t asking for you to parent my kids I was asking what to do with the chicken

 

[WingItRanch]

My kids are scared of her! She doesn’t back down at all. What should we do with her? They won’t even help me clean the coop anymore.

She's a curious friendly chick! A lot of us wish our chickens would be so human friendly. Maybe let her explore while you clean the brooder. Hold her more, maybe? It sounds like she'll be a great friendly hen when she gets older.

 

[nuthatched]

It’s our first flock of chickens so we are learning! Wasn’t asking for you to parent my kids I was asking what to do with the chicken

There's nothing wrong with her, just enjoy a friendly little chick.

 

[Aneale]

She's a curious friendly chick! A lot of us wish our chickens would be so human friendly. Maybe let her explore while you clean the brooder. Hold her more, maybe? It sounds like she'll be a great friendly hen when she gets older.

I have them in the garage in a small coop right now to keep them warm. If I let them out they are so hard to catch and put back. And suggestions/ tips would help! When can I start giving them treats as in mealworms and

 

[redinator]

I have them in the garage in a small coop right now to keep them warm. If I let them out they are so hard to catch and put back. And suggestions/ tips would help! When can I start giving them treats as in mealworms and

Do you have pictures of your set up? Advice is easier to give when you know what you're working with.

 

[Logar]

It’s our first flock of chickens so we are learning! Wasn’t asking for you to parent my kids I was asking what to do with the chicken

you don't do anything with the chicken...
There is nothing wrong with it. It's a 5 week old chicken being friendly

 

[redinator]

They aren’t scared of the other ones it’s just that certain one!

Young chicks are like infants. They learn and explore with their beaks. I have freckles and get poked pretty often. I just give the offending chick a gentle nudge to let them know that's not ok. Your kids could try distracting her with food (scattered in the opposite direction) or shiny objects to entertain her while they do their chores.
How old are your kids?

 

[WingItRanch]

I have them in the garage in a small coop right now to keep them warm. If I let them out they are so hard to catch and put back. And suggestions/ tips would help! When can I start giving them treats as in mealworms and

You can start giving treats now if you'd like! Just make sure they have chick grit available in a dish separate from their regular food.

I slowly teach mine to come by shaking a treat bucket every time they get a snack so they learn the sounds means a treat and they come running.

 

[NatJ]

My kids are scared of her! She doesn’t back down at all. What should we do with her? They won’t even help me clean the coop anymore.

For now, I would just clean the coop yourself.

Depending on the age of the kids, I might just let them watch from a distance they consider safe. Sometimes time and exposure is all it takes to resolve the situation.

Or I might teach them to pick up and hold the chick in question. That might make her less scary because she's not walking around approaching them, and also because it helps them realize how much bigger and stronger they are as compared with her.

I am assuming you will move the chicks from the small coop in the garage to a bigger coop at some point. That might cause different behavior in the chickens or the kids or both.

If there continues to be a problem, you might have to choose between getting rid of that chicken, or doing all the chicken care yourself without having the kids involved.

Even hens can peck pretty hard when they want to see how a finger or a freckle tastes, so it can be reasonable for kids to be wary of bold chickens. Long pants and sturdy shoes are good for protecting legs and feet, and I wouldn't encourage anyone to get their faces close to a chicken if they are uncomfortable (or maybe even if they are comfortable!)

100% female. Black stars are a sex linked hybrid, females are black with color leakage. If she were a cockerel she would have white barring.

Assuming the chick really is a Black Star, I agree.

But there are plenty of breeds with black males (no white barring), and I have no way to tell if the store got them mixed up.

The gold/brown color in the chest is much more common in females than males, so I think the chick probably is a female, but there are a few mixes that can give males with that effect.

So I wouldn't worry too much for now, but I would continue to watch the chick's development and behavior.

 

[redinator]

You can start giving treats now if you'd like! Just make sure they have chick grit available in a dish separate from their regular food.

I slowly teach mine to come by shaking a treat bucket every time they get a snack so they learn the sounds means a treat and they come running.

I tap the feeder/waterer after I clean and refill it, too.