Thousands of chicks found abandoned in postal truck have been adopted
All the surviving birds, estimated as more than 5,000 chickens, plus some others like turkeys and quails, were primarily adopted by local families, rescues and farms, according to First State Animal Centre and SPCA.
The chicks were part of a 12,000-bird shipment left unattended in a truck at a Delaware mail distribution centre.
Thousands of birds had been abandoned (Mingson Lau/AP)
Trapped in high temperatures without food or hydration, thousands died, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
The US Postal Service has said it is investigating the 'process breakdown' that occurred.
For more than two weeks, the surviving birds had been cared for at an overwhelmed First State Animal Centre and SPCA, said John Parana, executive director.
The birds were lucky to survive (Mingson Lau/AP)
As a no-kill operation, the shelter would not take adopters planning to use the birds for meat, Mr Parana said. Some of the adopters took hundreds at a time, hoping for egg-laying hens, while others took them as pets.
Stephanie Bruzdzinski adopted a handful of chicks after her daughter learned about their situation.
Local residents responded to calls to help the birds (Mingson Lau/AP)
'She was very upset and wanted to help out,' said Ms Bruzdzinski, who was similarly shocked when she heard the news. 'She doesn't like when things aren't getting taken care of.'
The birds originated from Pennsylvania-based Freedom Ranger Hatchery's weekly bird shipment to clients around the country, and due to biosecurity concerns, the hatchery cannot take the chicks back, a company spokesperson said.
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