On May 7, over 12,000 baby chicks were found inside a postal service truck at a distribution center in Delaware after being left without food and water for three days. Most of the chicks did not survive the extreme heat, but more than 2,000 were rescued and brought to First State Animal Center and SPCA. The chicks came from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania, which regularly ships birds to customers across the United States. A spokesperson from the hatchery mentioned that returning the birds was not possible because of biosecurity rules. The United States Postal Service confirmed that there was a procedural error and announced that an investigation was in progress.

The rescued birds are now being cared for at the animal center. Many are Freedom Ranger chicks, while some are young turkeys, geese, and quail. These birds take about ten weeks to mature, so the shelter expects a long-term need for space, feed, and care. According to the executive director, adoption began on May 14, but only a few hundred birds have been taken home. The Department of Agriculture guided the animals to the shelter and had previously promised to support costs at a rate of $5 per bird each day. However, both sides agreed that this rate is not feasible. The department is considering asking the postal service to cover the cost. Shelter staff said that operations have now become 24 hours a day, and employees are even spending personal money to sustain the care. The situation continues to create logistical and financial challenges for the donation-based facility.