The postal service did not immediately respond to requests for comment but said on its website that the agency transports thousands of chicks each year.

A central Delaware animal shelter has spent the past two weeks rehabilitating and finding homes for over 8,000 chicks that were stranded in a U.S. Postal Service truck for 3 ½ days.

The birds were shipped from a south-central Pennsylvania hatchery.

The First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden shared the news on social media, documenting the shelter’s attempts to care for them and place them in homes. 

The postal service did not immediately respond to requests for comment on May 20, but previously said on its website that the agency transports thousands of chicks “seamlessly every year.”

While the animal shelter initially estimated that there were between 3,000 and 5,000 quail, geese, and chicks left in the postal service truck with no food, water, or temperature control, there turned out to be over 10,000 of the birds.

“First State Animal Center took delivery directly from the postal service,” the shelter wrote, later adding that it worked with the Delaware Department of Agriculture to sort and care for the animals.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture shared news of the dilemma on May 9 and said about 4,000 birds were dead upon arrival. 

Where are the surviving chicks?

Shelter employees said there was an  “amazing” number of survivors. Workers cared for the birds around the clock with heat, food, water, and survival care, the shelter said.

The shelter asked for donations to pay for the birds’ care. Adoptions began on May 13. USA TODAY has reached out to the shelter to obtain more information on the adoptions.

Three days after the shelter took the birds in, they shared that nearly half of the birds were in stable but cautious condition, then on May 13, the birds were available for adoption in batches ranging from 5 to 100.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture said the shipment was headed to multiple states in the U.S. but became “misdirected” and ended up in Delaware. 

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‘Don’t know how they ended up where they did’: Questions remain over incident

According to the department, the Freedom Ranger Hatchery in south-central Pennsylvania is certified with the National Poultry Improvement Plan, which was created to decrease the spread of diseases in the poultry industry. 

USA TODAY reached out to the Freedom Ranger Hatchery and they released the following statement: “This shipment was part of a routine shipment that never reached it’s 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.”

The hatchery ships birds to backyard growers and companies who use them for egg or meat production, said Stephen Horst, owner of Fifth Day Farm, which is under the same ownership of the hatchery. The family company has multiple hatcheries, he said.

The company also ships guinea fowl, which are used for tick control, and they ship all over the U.S., Horst told USA TODAY on May 20. 

Regarding the orphaned birds, the Delaware Department of Agriculture said as many as 2,000 of the birds were supposed to be sent to Spokane, Washington.

The birds were first sent out around April 29, Horst said. They are typically delivered within two days.

“I don’t know how they ended up where they did, but I do know that we’re asking questions too,” he told USA TODAY. He added that since the incident, the company has shipped birds with no issues.

How were they able to survive?

According to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, someone from the postal service’s  Delaware Processing and Distribution Center called the department on May 2 about “an undeliverable box of baby birds.” 

The Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health got involved, and the agency helped transfer the orphaned chicks to the First State Animal Center and SPCA in Camden. 

Horst, one of the hatchery owners, said the hatchery sometimes works with agencies outside of the postal service to ship birds, such as UPS and FedEx. For larger orders, they sometimes work with airlines such as Delta, American, and Alaska.

He said companies like Freedom Ranger Hatchery often face criticism from those who say it’s inhumane to ship the birds, but the birds are actually equipped to survive for three days, he said.

Issues with shipping led to chicks being abandoned

When chicks develop, the yolk is the last to form. It’s in their abdomen and acts as an energy source. He said the shipment misdirection is “disappointing,” but more often than not, the system works. 

When asked, Horst said he can’t recall the hatchery having an issue like this before, where birds are misdirected and left in a truck for days. 

“When the shipping system fails, which it does sometimes, that’s unfortunate,” he said. “But overall, we have really good success shipping them.”

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

• Delaware offers a variety of Memorial Day weekend events, including festivals, concerts, and historical demonstrations.
• The Poseidon Festival in Bethany Beach features pirates, mermaids, live music, and a costume contest.
• Constitution Yards Beer Garden in Wilmington hosts live music performances throughout the weekend.
• Other events include the Amish Outlaws concert, a Taiwanese dance performance, and the Buccaneer Bash.

Memorial Day is fun almost here, and the fashion police are already salty – because they’ll have to wait months before they can ticket Delawareans for rocking white after Labor Day. 

As a heads up, make sure your pedicure game is strong this summer, since questionable toes in flip-flops or open-toe shoes? That could land you an indecent exposure charge.  

As you rummage through your closet for the perfect Memorial Day outfit, here are some can’t-miss entertainment events in the First State where you show off your style over the holiday weekend.

Poseidon Festival 2025, Bethany Beach  

The 10th anniversary of the Poseidon Festival is a four-day affair with pirates, mermaids, live music, a costume contest and more fun.

Highlights include a performance from the Caiso Steeldrum Band (May 23), sword demonstrations from Captain Jack (May 24 and 25), costume parade and contest where you can dressed as a pirate, mermaid or your favorite maritime creature (May 24), a summer luau show (May 24), United States Navy Band concert (May 25) and Memorial Day service (May 26). 

The Poseidon Festival is held in downtown Bethany Beach (near Bethany Bandstand) from May 23 to 26. Visit townofbethanybeach.com/497/Poseidon-Festival or call (302) 539-8011.  

Constitution Yards Beer Garden concerts, Wilmington

The New Constitution Yards Beer Garden is set to bring back live music over the holiday weekend starting May 23 with a concert featuring the Side Hustle. The other concerts include Bad Hombres (May 24) and Nicholas Ray (May 26). All three shows will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. With a new Wilmington location in a larger vacant lot at 308 Justison St., the upgraded Constitution Yards now has a beer garden that’s grown 20% to 25%, and about 35% of the lot will be a field for wiffleball, kickball and more, according to an April report from News Journal reporter Ryan Cormier. 

Memorial Day weekend concerts will be held at Constitution Yards Beer Garden (308 Justison St., Wilmington) from 7 to 10 p.m. May 23, 24 and 26. Visit constitutionyards.com or call (302) 407-5192.  

Amish Outlaws on the loose in concert, Millsboro

It’s an understatement to say that Delaware likes The Amish Outlaws. The band’s fans adore these Amish rebels, especially when they play Paradise Grill. For newcomers, the Outlaws are a cover band that wears Amish outfits. Some of the members grew up Amish before deciding to leave their community to join the secular world and play instruments. From rap to rock, these men cover it all.  

Paradise Grill (27344 Bay Road, Millsboro) at 8 p.m. May 23. Visit amishoutlaws.com or call (302) 945-4500.  

‘Amazing Taiwan’ event dances to Wilmington

The National Taiwan University of Sport Dance Company will deliver a performance that shows off a new, professional dance production that merges Chinese and Western dance, music and theatrical artistry. “Amazing Taiwan” brings expressive storytelling to life through a series of attractive vignettes. This 82-minute production is presented by the Chinese American Community Center in Hockessin.  

The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. May 23. Tickets are $47. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577. 

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Buccaneer Bash 2025, Bowers Beach  

Fearless swashbucklers will sail to Bowers Beach for a peaceful adventure at the annual Buccaneer Bash. This free two-day festival is known to take seafarers back to the 18th century to experience pirate life through demonstrations, music, petting zoo, food, craft and modern vendors, and activities in downtown Bowers Beach.  

Buccaneer Bash is held in downtown Bowers Beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 and 25. Free event. Visit Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash on Facebook or call (302) 222-6341.  

Zerbini Family Circus comes to Smyrna  

Long before social media took over, it was common to see spectacles. They were called the “circus” and often featured acrobatics, quirky animal acts and performances by clowns. This tradition lives on as the Zerbini Family Circus hauls their big tent to Smyrna for four performances across three days.  

Smyrna Municipal Park (502 N. Main St. Smyrna) at 4 and 6 p.m. May 24; 3 p.m. May 25; and 1 p.m. May 26. Tickets start at $7. Visit zerbinifamilycircus.com.  

Love Seed Mama Jump & more bands, Dewey Beach  

One of the strangest band names on the planet belongs to the popular Delaware party rockers: Love Seed Mama Jump. The band is royalty in their hometown of Dewey Beach, and they’re set for a kingly performance in their neck of the woods on a Jam Session evening that includes The Gab Cinque Band, Triple Rail Turn, It’s All Good and DJ Knappy.  

Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 5 p.m. May 24. For more info, visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.  

Hagley Museum fires the cannon, Greenville  

Have you seen a live cannon fired? Even if you have, you’re probably overdue. Hagley Museum is known for hosting cannon demonstrations, which is something the average person doesn’t witness every day. These firings run through December. Hagley was recognized for the second straight year as one of the 10 Best Open-Air Museums in the country. Hagley was nominated by an expert panel and voted by USA TODAY readers.   

Hagley Museum (200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville) at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. May 24 to 26. Admission is $10-$20. Free for members, and ages 5 and younger. Visit hagley.org or call (302) 658-2400. 

We May Be Right: Billy Joel Tribute, Rehoboth Beach  

Life’s a beach and this Billy Joel Tribute is looking to make a splash when they perform in Rehoboth. We May Be Right recreates the music of the Piano Man, which amounts to a deep bag of timeless hits. 

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Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (1 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) at 8 p.m. May 24. Free show. Visit rehobothbandstand.com or call (302) 644-2288.  

Mike Hines & The Look storm Rehoboth Beach  

Delaware party band Mikes Hines & The Look bring super-sized energy to the stage. The Delaware Rock & Roll Society inductees offer a colorful mix of R&B, hip-hop, pop, old-school funk, Motown and disco to the stage.  

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (1 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) at 8 p.m. May 25. Free show. Visit rehobothbandstand.com or call (302) 644-2288.  

Kalmar Nyckel sets sail across Christina River + free deck tour, Wilmington

The Tall Ship of Delaware wants to take you on a sweet ride for one hour and 30 minutes across the Christina River on May 24 (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) and May 25 (1 to 3 p.m.), followed by a free deck tour on May 26 (noon to 5 p.m.). As a heads up, guests interested in either sailing trip must arrive 30 minutes before the ship departs for a check-in, which is already built into the above sail times.

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (1124 E. Seventh St., Wilmington) from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 24; 1 to 3 p.m. May 25; and noon to 5 p.m. May 26. Tickets for sails on May 24 and 25 are $25-$45 each. The deck tour on May 26 is free. To register and for more info, visit kalmarnyckel.org or call (302) 429-7447. 

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware has filed 58 immigration and border security-related cases since January 20, representing an 800% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to federal officials.

This sharp rise in enforcement activity is part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice to ramp up immigration enforcement, dismantle transnational criminal organizations, and address violent crime.

As part of this surge, Delaware’s district office recently announced the prosecution of Wagner Rivera-Campusano, a 27-year-old Dominican national living in New Castle County. On May 13, he was sentenced to 30 days of probation for failing to notify federal authorities of a change of address, a violation of the Alien Registration Act.

Court records show Rivera-Campusano was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2023 and released on bail after providing an address in New York City. He failed to appear for immigration proceedings and was ordered removed from the country in absentia. Officials say sometime around September 2024, Rivera-Campusano moved to Delaware without notifying authorities, as required by law.

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In April 2025, he was convicted of a drug felony in Delaware Superior Court. After his release, he was taken into ICE custody and federally charged for failing to report his address change. He faces likely deportation. Prosecutors noted any future illegal re-entry would carry stiffer penalties due to his felony conviction.

Federal officials say they expect the pace of immigration-related prosecutions to continue in the coming months as enforcement priorities remain a central focus of the administration.

The dramatic rise in prosecutions reflects broader federal policy changes under President Donald Trump’s second term, which has prioritized mass deportations and expanded immigration enforcement.

You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.