Behavior question

[veronicasmom]

Ok, I will try to make this sound like it makes sense....
Anyway, originally had two female ducks for 6 years, till they died of old age. Got along wonderfully, died within 6 months of each other. Then got a male/female pair of Indian Runners, at about 1 year old. 3 months later added another female duck, maybe a Swedish/Runner cross, not sure. They always did wonderfully together. Lost the cross and female runner in a very sad situation, so the drake was alone. Got the Pekin, they got along well from the start. That was about 3-4 weeks ago. This past Wed we got the little Runner female. She's probably about 5-6 months old.
I just threw some veggies out on the ground for them, along with some pellets, just for fun. (I've always done this will all the ducks, never any problems). They all started eating, then I noticed the drake kind of "going after" the little Runner female, the Pekin just kept stuffing her face. He did it two or three times, not really forcefully, but he'd just nip at her to drive her off, then she'd come back and he'd do it again.
Do I have a problem brewing or will they work it out themselves in time? Granted, it's only been a few days and for the most part they seem to do fine, but now I am wondering the the little girl is being allowed to eat enough. I will start to watch and have hubby watch too, but I've never seen any of my other ducks do this to each other. They've always gotten along so well, eating together with no problems. I am a terrible worrywart with all my animals, so I am hoping someone can put my mind at ease.

 

[KellyHM]

They'll be fine. It just takes them a little while to work out their hierarchy.

 

[veronicasmom]

That's what I figured, but I'd never seen them do that before. Plus, she's smaller than they are, so I was a little concerned. There doesn't seem like actual fighting going on, just a little bullying by my drake. He is the first and only drake I've ever had, have to say, he may be the last. I love him, and he is a character, but I do prefer my girls.

 

[1duckychick]

I've had my 6 together since day 1 (well, technically it was their 2nd day) and they've all snipped and nipped at each other now and then. My smallest mallard is always the last to get to the food b/c the others "crowd the plate" but there's always more than enough left over so she waits until the big boys are done and then has her fill. When I give them treats I hand feed them mostly and I make sure she gets 1st dibs. Sometimes they nip over food but they usually do it more over who's in who's space. The boys also get nippy when I sit with the group and the females let me pet them. Not really sure what that's all about b/c they nip at the girls, not me, and it's not like they're the ones who want to get petted!