Delaware officials recover thousands of abandoned chicks from USPS truck

Delaware officials are pleading for caretakers to rehabilitate thousands of baby birds that were abandoned in a U.S. Postal Service truck this month.

The Delaware Agriculture Department got a call from a Delaware USPS distribution center on May 2 about the undeliverable shipment of chicks, state officials said in a news release.

Officials said they discovered more than 10,000 birds, including chicks, turkeys, geese, quail and chukars, according to the release. They added that 4,000 of the birds had perished by the time of arrival, "due to an inadequate environment for an extended period."

"Our swift intervention ensured that the vulnerable animals were rescued," the Agriculture Department in a statement. "The coordinated effort highlighted the department’s commitment to animal welfare."

It said it transferred the orphaned chicks to an animal shelter in the state, First State Animal Center.

"We have been caring for these birds 24/7 with heat, food, water and survival care for the past 10 days, we have an amazing amount of survivors in the thousands despite terrible odds of survival," the animal center said on Facebook.

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All of the birds were shipped from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania on April 29, according to the Agriculture Department release. Officials said that the hatchery was unsure how the birds ended up in Delaware and that they are investigating.

The Freedom Ranger Hatchery and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

On May 9, the state Agriculture Department and First State Animal Center announced the recovery of the baby birds in an effort to find them homes.

"Delaware Department of Agriculture is working closely with First State Animal Center to ensure that the chicks are rehabilitated and eventually rehomed to responsible caretakers, reinforcing the ongoing dedication to safeguarding animal rights and fostering a compassionate society," the Agriculture Department said.