Baby Orpington Aggressive or Protective?

[Rach Rach]

I guess I'll just get to it -Picture is of her getting scratches until she fell asleep last night <3

We ordered 4 chicks (2 silkies and 2 orpingtons) from my pet chicken and they were gorgeous! A couple days ago a neighbor dog dug into our yard and killed both Silkies and our Splash Orpington. It was devastating. We have addressed the situation with the owners, installed Dig Defense, and they immediately installed an electric fence.
Our Blue Orpington was the leader of the pack and she is/was completely devastated. She just turned 7 weeks old. I really don't want to let her go since she's my favorite. She's VERY sweet, gentle, and loves scratches. Yesterday we decided to pick up 4 chicks from Tractor Supply (1 week old) and I'm desperately hoping they can all bond.
This is a 2 parter....1. When I let them all spend supervised time together my 7 week Orpington is very sweet and just pecks at some food. Meanwhile...the 1 week old Buff Orpington is acting CRAZY towards her. Jumping up near her back and pecking her, pecking her comb hard, pecking her face...this little baby won't stop!
I have tried to press her down as a way to curb the behavior but she is pretty relentless. The 7 seeker just freezes when she starts getting pecked at and lets the beating happen.
There are zero visible injuries from the pecking. I think she's desperate for some attention and friends.
Second part of question...Is this too big of an age gap even though we only have a single 7 weeker? Worthless shot? Should I just re-home my favorite girl into a mature flock (my friend will gladly take her)? I'm giving her lots of extra treats and love right now!

I'm sorry for a huge post!

 

[igorsMistress]

It's not worthless so don't give up. You can try separating the aggressive chick with a friend for a few days and leave the rest with the older bird, then reintroduce the aggressive one and friend back to the others.

 

[aart]

How are these birds housed?
I'd put the aggressive chick in 'jail' for some time outs...a crate in coop and/or run.

 

[333113]

A see-don't-touch introduction might be a good solution. I put the little two from a later hatch into the brooder with two bigger chicks, separate cage, food and water, and waited to see signs of the getting along before I removed the separate cage. They started eating together, talking with one another, sleeping in the same pile against the cage wall, and their sleep times merged.

Here, the two "bigs" are sitting on top of the "littles" cage, all inside the same brooder.

Now they are one little flock.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry for your losses, and getting these new chicks is a great idea. Your one aggressive week old chick, at least not causing harm. Too soon to sex, but I wonder if it's actually an extremely pushy cockerel? Time will tell!
Pictures of their housing would be good here too.
The babies need a heat source, and the older chick doesn't, so how are you managing their space?
I'd leave them together a bit longer, and see if this behavior improves. Maybe.
Mary

 

[Rach Rach]

I'm so sorry for your losses, and getting these new chicks is a great idea. Your one aggressive week old chick, at least not causing harm. Too soon to sex, but I wonder if it's actually an extremely pushy cockerel? Time will tell!
Pictures of their housing would be good here too.
The babies need a heat source, and the older chick doesn't, so how are you managing their space?
I'd leave them together a bit longer, and see if this behavior improves. Maybe.
Mary

Thank you for the support! Their set ups are right next to each other so they can smell and hear each other. All are in our garage since it’s insulated and I can comfortably control the temp.
I put wire over the chicks at night but during the day I remove it and let big girl jump in and see them (Always watching).
I hope the buff Orpington isn’t a baby roo! She was in the pullet bin but of course there’s no way to really know!
Big box is 7 week olds. Bin is babies.
She has been escaping the box lately and roosts above the chicks on our work bench. We have the back door to the yard open so she can do a little free ranging.

 

[Rach Rach]

A see-don't-touch introduction might be a good solution. I put the little two from a later hatch into the brooder with two bigger chicks, separate cage, food and water, and waited to see signs of the getting along before I removed the separate cage. They started eating together, talking with one another, sleeping in the same pile against the cage wall, and their sleep times merged.

Here, the two "bigs" are sitting on top of the "littles" cage, all inside the same brooder.
View attachment 2320945
Now they are one little flock.

This is a great set up you have. I just posted pics below of what I’m doing right now.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

So cute. I was thinking the same thing as @Folly's place. Could be a little boy with that confidence. Or could be a pushy pullet☺ who knows either way your blue Orphington is really pretty!!

 

[Rach Rach]

How are these birds housed?
I'd put the aggressive chick in 'jail' for some time outs...a crate in coop and/or run.

I just posted below 2 pictures of my setup for the girls. I have been putting the little one in the tiny tractor supply box if it keeps pecking. Just for a little and then re-introduce her. I’ve noticed the baby buff Orpington isn’t doing as much antagonizing but now the baby australorp is pecking non-stop!

 

[aart]

Thinks you need more brooder space.
Wonders if littles are too hot.
Here's some tips about chick heat:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/