Right off the bat, Fred made it clear that he wouldn’t be shirking his responsibilities.

Throughout history, it has been observed that animals often take care of babies from other species. This phenomenon is impressive to witness, particularly when the animal in question does not have any inherent motherly instincts. Recently, a male Labrador gained popularity on the internet for adopting a group of ducklings who had lost their own mother.

An unexpected adoption took place at Mountfitchet Castle in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, located in the United Kingdom. Following the hatching of nine ducklings, their mother suddenly vanished. Consequently, the human inhabitants took them into their homes. It was then when Fred, a 10-year-old lab who ruled the farm, came to the rescue. “Since the ducklings were too young to care for themselves, we decided to bring them inside and Fred took them under his paw instead of his wing,” said Jeremy Goldsmith, the owner. “He’s a gentle soul who has grown up amongst rescued animals.”

At Mountfitchet Castle, there is a diverse range of animals residing, and Fred is well accustomed to mingling with them. However, he recently assumed the responsibility of nurturing a group of orphaned babies, which was a novel experience for him.

Fred, the Labrador, had a unique way of spending time with his nine adorable ducklings. He would often take them around the castle grounds and let them climb on his back or head. What’s even more fascinating is that Labradors have a natural inclination towards swimming, and Fred was no exception. His ducklings loved to follow him into the water and have fun. According to Goldsmith, they would climb all over him and make the most of their time together. It was a lovely sight to watch!

After a year, Fred was once again in the headlines for his act of kindness. This time, he adopted six additional ducklings whose mother, a Muscovy duck, disappeared. With nobody to look after them, Fred took it upon himself to take care of them just like he did with his first set of ducklings. It seems that Fred enjoyed being a dad so much that he decided to do it again and welcomed these new bundles of joy into his life.

As soon as Fred arrived, he made it clear that he wouldn’t shirk his responsibilities and embraced his role as a caregiver. It only took a few minutes for the baby ducks to take to their new and unusual mother figure, cuddling and playing around him. Now, the 11-year-old pooch has expanded his brood to 15 adorable ducklings and they all seem contentedly content roaming around Mountfitchet Castle’s vast landscape, soaking up the sun.

It’s undeniable that the adorable old dog and his quirky companions have amassed a following online.
Once serving as a hill fort in the Iron Age, Mountfitchet Castle eventually transformed into a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, built from timber. Throughout its history, the castle played host to a variety of peoples, including Romans, Saxons, and Vikings. In 1066, William the Conqueror famously led an attack on the settlement. Though it may date back centuries, Mountfitchet Castle has since undergone modernization.

Fred and his family of ducks have a dedicated Instagram account that regularly posts photos for followers across the UK and beyond. Check out the video below to see more of this charming family! Don’t forget to share with your loved ones.