Golden Labrador Fred adopts 15 orphaned ducklings for the second time

Golden Labrador Fred adopts 15 orphaned ducklings for the second time

Ducky daycare! Golden Labrador Fred adopts 15 orphaned ducklings after previously taking another brood under his paw

  • Golden Labrador Fred, from Essex, has adopted 15 orphaned ducklings
  • The dog previously adopted nine orphaned ducklings when we were 10, in 2018
  • His owner Jeremy Goldsmith says he’s not surprised Fred has found a new family

A group of 15 orphaned ducklings have an unlikely new foster father – in a golden Labrador named Fred.

Remarkably, this is the second time Fred has made headlines after adopting nine orphaned ducks in Mountfitchet Castle, Essex, in 2018 when he was ten years old.

Now years later, the old dog has become the proud father of a new litter.

A golden labrador named Fred has adopted 15 orphaned ducklings after their mother abandoned them

A golden labrador named Fred has adopted 15 orphaned ducklings after their mother abandoned them

Fred takes care of his new foster children in the same color and even carries them on his back

Fred takes care of his new foster children in the same color and even carries them on his back

Photos and videos show the ducklings crawling cutely between his front legs and even on top of him as they lie in the sun together.

The ducks were orphaned after their mother mysteriously disappeared overnight at the castle in Stansted.

Since then, Fred makes sure to take care of his new foster children of the same color, even carrying them on his back.

Fred’s owner Jeremy Goldsmith says he’s not surprised that Fred has found a new family.

This isn't the first time the old dog has adopted ducklings.  In 2018, when he was 10, he adopted nine ducklings

This isn’t the first time the old dog has adopted ducklings. In 2018, when he was 10, he adopted nine ducklings

The ducklings are expected to stay with Fred at Mountfitchet Castle, Essex, until they are old enough to survive on their own

The ducklings are expected to stay with Fred at Mountfitchet Castle, Essex, until they are old enough to survive on their own

He explained: “In the 15 years he has owned it, Fred has spent a lot of time in the castle with the animals and it has become second nature for him to be among the various rescued animals.”

The ducklings are expected to stay with Fred in the castle until they are old enough to survive on their own.

Mountfitchet Castle is a Norman castle of Motte and Bailey, built of wood.

Formerly an Iron Age hill fortress, the historic site was also a Roman signal fortress and later a Saxon and Viking settlement before being attacked by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Fred's owner Jeremy Goldsmith wasn't surprised when his golden Labrador found a new family to care for

Fred’s owner Jeremy Goldsmith wasn’t surprised when his golden Labrador found a new family to care for

Photos and videos show the ducklings crawling cutely between his front legs and even on top of him as they lie in the sun together

Photos and videos show the ducklings crawling cutely between his front legs and even on top of him as they lie in the sun together