Older cats protective of kitten?

[learieonthewildmoor]

Because Cat One and Two found it so difficult to adjust to Three, I was expecting a bit of stress for a few weeks. It’s day three and the only one who is a bit nervous is Two.
Cat Three cleaned the kitten’s bottom this morning after a poo, and isn’t eating Four’s food. He ALWAYS eats the food: but comes up when the kitten is eating, sniffs and then walks off.
Cat One has a special million AUD dollar dry food which I have to give him seperately. Two and Three race in to eat any leftovers. I put his food in the doorway of the kitten room to get some introductions going. Kitten came over and started eating, Cat One stopped and walked off. When I moved Four away, One had a few more bites and then left it. He always finishes most if not all.

Is this something other cats do with kittens? One accepted Two after 4 days and they fed together, seperate dishes; I never saw One leaving food for Two.
Are they protective or a bit scared?

Will add a photo later, my iPad is slower than my phone updating photos.

Is this Cat 4 the sweet little grey kitten? I think Cat 3 has definitely taken on the role of parent cat to a very young kitten. That would explain the grooming, which is teaching the kitten how to wash their bottom. I’m not sure about staying away from the kittens food but assume it’s an instinct to let the kitten eat and therefore survive. If will be interesting to see if the behaviour changes after the kitten is neutered.

We always have a foster kitten around. Our big cats are very protective of the kitten and will let it eat from their bowls.

We do feed them separately and will monitor them, but occasionally a kitten will stick it's head in to a big cat's food bowl and the big cat will look at us as if to say "Look Mum he's eating my food again". Sometimes a big cat will pat at the kitten to stop it, but there are no claws involved.

Our big cats definitely teach our foster kittens how to cat. They'll play with them and chase them and wash them. Not all of our cats like foster kittens and they'll ignore them. 5 of our eight cats are excellent kitten teachers and love getting involved.

Yes, that’s Cat Four. This was him barging over to Cat One’s bowl and One backs right off.
It’s interesting that male cats appear to have this nurturing instinct.