Fred, a 10-year-old labrador who lives at Mountfitchet Castle in England, has adopted an orphaned family of ducklings.

The chicks were found wandering around by themselves after their mom vanished.

Cute photos and video show the unlikely family hanging out together.

The ducklings sleep in Fred's basket, and the gang has been swimming in the castle's moat.



A dog has adopted nine ducklings he found wandering by themselves, and it's adorable.

Fred, a 10-year-old labrador, has been caring for the chicks at Mountfitchet Castle in Essex, England, since their mom disappeared last week.

Pictures taken by the manager at the castle, a local tourist attraction, show the ducklings nestling under Fred and riding around on his back. Fred lives at the castle as its "resident dog."

A video published by local reporters also shows the unlikely family having fun together:

Staff at the castle shared Fred's story in a Facebook post on Monday, which has since gone viral.

They explained: "The ducklings' mum had disappeared and a member of staff found them waddling around the castle grounds alone.

"The team were very worried about the ducklings but Fred, a 10 year old Labrador, immediately took to them and has been babysitting ever since."

According to the BBC, the ducklings sleep in Fred's dog basket, and have been for a swim with him in the castle moat.