Over 5,000 Abandoned Chicks Rescued and Rehomed After USPS Incident

CAMDEN, Delaware -- A significant number of chicks, estimated to be over 5,000, have found new homes following a distressing incident in which they were discovered abandoned in a United States Postal Service (USPS) truck. The chicks were left unattended for three days in a mail distribution center, resulting in a tragic loss of many of their companions due to extreme temperatures and lack of food and water.

The surviving birds, which include not only chickens but also turkeys and quails, were taken in by the First State Animal Center and SPCA, where they received care for more than two weeks. The shelter, which operates as a no-kill facility, faced challenges in managing the large influx of birds but remained committed to finding them loving homes. The organization refrained from adopting out birds intended for meat production, focusing instead on placements with families, farms, and rescue organizations.

After extensive efforts to promote adoption, the last of the chicks were picked up on Thursday morning. Many local families responded to the call for help, with some adopters taking hundreds of birds at once, primarily for the purpose of raising egg-laying hens. The incident has drawn significant attention in the community, with individuals like Stephanie Bruzdzinski stepping forward to adopt a few chicks after learning about their plight through her daughter.

According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the chicks were part of a larger shipment of 12,000 birds from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania. Due to biosecurity regulations, the hatchery is unable to reclaim the chicks, which has heightened the urgency of finding them new homes.

The USPS is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, describing it as a "process breakdown." As the community rallies to support the surviving birds, the focus remains on ensuring their well-being and finding suitable placements for all those rescued.