Thousands of baby chicks left to die in a neglected postal truck have overwhelmed a Delaware animal shelter struggling with the aftermath of a federal shipping disaster.
At a Glance
- Approximately 4,000 chicks were found dead and 10,000 alive after being abandoned in a USPS truck for three days
- The First State Animal Center and SPCA in Delaware is now caring for the survivors at significant financial strain
- The hatchery cannot take the chicks back due to biosecurity concerns
- The USPS acknowledges a “process breakdown” and is investigating the incident
- State officials and shelter workers are negotiating reimbursement costs while the shelter relies on donations
A Tragedy of Postal Proportions
On May 2, the Delaware Department of Agriculture received an unusual notification from the United States Postal Service about what they described as “an undeliverable box of baby birds.” What officials discovered was far more disturbing – approximately 4,000 chicks were already dead, while 10,000 more were clinging to life after spending three days abandoned in a postal truck without proper care. The shipment, which originated from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania on April 29, had become a casualty of what the USPS would later admit was a serious operational failure.
The First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden, Delaware quickly mobilized to rescue the surviving birds. Most were Freedom Ranger chicks, but the shipment also included turkeys, geese, and quail. Staff members found the animals in deplorable conditions, left “without water, food or temperature control,” according to shelter statements. The birds had survived only because newly hatched chicks can subsist on yolk reserves in their abdomens for a limited time – but that window was rapidly closing when they were discovered.
Shelter Overwhelmed by Survival Crisis
What began as a rescue operation rapidly transformed into a massive logistical challenge for the small animal shelter. The facility was never designed to care for thousands of poultry, yet overnight had to convert to a 24/7 operation focused on saving the birds. John Parana, speaking for the shelter, described the horrific scene upon discovery: “After three and a half days in the heat, these crates were wet with dead fowl. It was a mess.”
“They said that they’re gonna try to go after the post office to get recoupment. That doesn’t help us in the meantime,” said John Parana, highlighting the immediate financial crisis facing the shelter while government officials work through bureaucratic channels to seek compensation from USPS.
The shelter began offering the surviving chicks for adoption on May 13, but the response has been insufficient to address the overwhelming numbers. Adding to the complications, the shelter has refused requests to purchase the birds for meat, standing firm on its no-kill policy. Some staff members have even resorted to using personal funds to support the operation as the shelter’s donation-based budget stretches beyond its limits.
Federal and State Response Under Scrutiny
The USPS has acknowledged a breakdown in their processes and launched an investigation, but has provided few answers to either the hatchery or shelter. This lack of transparency comes despite the Postal Service’s own website stating: “Chicks can be safely transported without food or water within 72 hours of hatching. In fact, placing food and water inside the hatchery box could jeopardize the integrity of the box and could endanger the health and safety of the animals inside.”
“This shipment was part of a routine shipment that never reached its intended destination due to USPS error. This loss has compounding effects with the many small family farms across America that were counting on these birds for their summer grow out schedules. We have not gotten any clear answers from the post office about this situation. We are unsure if we will receive any compensation for the loss,” stated Freedom Ranger Hatchery in their public response to the incident.
Meanwhile, the Delaware Department of Agriculture initially proposed a reimbursement rate of $5 per chicken per day to the shelter, but negotiations continue as the scale of the situation makes even this rate insufficient. The department directed the animals to the shelter but has been slow to provide immediate financial support, leaving the shelter in limbo while caring for thousands of unexpected animal residents.
A Rare Breakdown in a Common Practice
Despite this tragic incident, shipping live chicks through the mail is a long-established practice in American agriculture. Stephen Horst of the Freedom Ranger Hatchery noted, “When the shipping system fails, which it does sometimes, that’s unfortunate. But overall, we have really good success shipping them.” The hatchery sometimes uses alternative shipping methods like UPS, FedEx, and airlines for larger orders, but USPS remains a common carrier for smaller shipments.
Sadly, the hatchery cannot take the surviving chicks back due to biosecurity concerns, leaving the shelter with few options. As of the latest reports, most chicks remain at the shelter as staff continue their tireless work. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of supply chains and the real-world consequences when systems designed to support American agriculture fail. For now, the fate of thousands of chicks rests in the hands of an overwhelmed rural animal shelter waiting for proper support from the government agencies involved.
