1 of my year old hand-reared Buff Orpys fronted up to my 2 year old today - jumped towards her all puffed up as she walked down the path. She screamed, as he made her jump, and hubby just picked him up. We usually have them (there are 2 brothers) penned up, especially when kids come to visit, but this is the first time one has refused to move out the way and shown aggression. He is destined to go to a friends anyway (because we were quite fond of him so he was spared the pot) but now I am thinking twice as they run a riding school and I don't want to move the problem on.
He seemed such a gentle boy, albeit a bit more sparky then his brother. We even found our silkie chicks had got into their run and were snuggled up against "the boys"! He hasn't actually attacked, but in your collective experience is this behaviour the start of the slippery slope? He's locked up for good now whilst little one is around.