An exit ramp off Interstate 84 in Orange County was closed for hours Wednesday after a big rig carrying thousands of chickens tipped over.

A truck from Murray's Farm carrying around 6,000 live chickens rolled over around 6:30 a.m. at the 4W exit off I-84 East in Wallkill.

The driver of the truck was taken to Orange Regional Medical Center with minor injuries, but has since been released.

Workers scrambled to save as many of the birds' lives as possible, but some chickens were killed in the accident.

Police say they received numerous calls from people concerned for the chickens' welfare.

Dean Koplik, COO of Murray's Chicken, told News 12 the company is in triage mode now, and trying to evaluate the birds.

Koplik said any birds that are in good condition will be transported to the plant for processing. Birds that didn't survive will be disposed of. Any birds that are either suffering or won't be good for processing will be euthanized.

Murray's officials say the birds were on their way from a farm in Pennsylvania to the company's plant in Sullivan County to be processed when the rollover occurred.

Police say the accident is under investigation.

Executives from Murray's Chicken say the birds on the truck were raised to be broiler chickens and were always intended to be part of the food supply.