Abandoned NYC Trucks Yield Hundreds of Dead Chickens, Activists Rescue More

WHO:

NY Post - Activists involved in rescuing the chickens.

Gothamist - A minority of ultra-Orthodox Jews practicing a pre-Yom Kippur sacrifice custom.

WHAT:

NY Post - A total of 200 chickens were found abandoned, with only 80 still alive.

Gothamist - More than 80 chickens were rescued from an abandoned truck.

WHERE:

NY Post - The first group of chickens was discovered in a U-Haul on Winthrop Avenue between East 45th Street and Troy Avenue.

NY Post - A second U-Haul containing more birds was found about a mile and a half away.

WHEN:

NY Post - The discovery of the first group of chickens occurred around 5 p.m.

WHY:

Gothamist - The chickens are linked to a pre-Yom Kippur sacrifice custom practiced by a minority of ultra-Orthodox Jews.

HOW:

Gothamist - A sign reading "Kaparos on the Go" was affixed to the truck where the chickens were found.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Activists have rescued more than 80 chickens from an abandoned truck linked to a pre-Yom Kippur sacrifice custom practiced by a minority of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The first group of chickens was discovered around 5 p.m. in a U-Haul on Winthrop Avenue, where a total of 200 chickens were found abandoned, with only 80 still alive, and a second truck containing more birds was located about a mile and a half away. A sign reading "Kaparos on the Go" was affixed to the truck where the chickens were found, highlighting the custom's connection to the rescue effort.