Feral chickens were left to die in a cage after the Parks member of staff looking after them went on sick leave, Government said yesterday.The Department of Parks blamed a breakdown in communication for the neglect of the animals in the Botanical Gardens aviary which has angered the SPCA.Two chickens were found dead on Saturday, and several more emaciated and reduced to the weight of a chocolate bar, after being left without food and clean water for a week.Responding to complaints from the SPCA, a Public Works spokesman said in a statement yesterday: “While the Department of Parks regrets the treatment and condition of the chickens at the Botanical Gardens aviary, the Department would like to advise this was not committed through any wilful or careless act of neglect.“The Department would like to advise they do not keep chickens as part of their livestock and that these were feral chickens that made their way on to the grounds and were subsequently collected, placed in an unused cage by a staff member that were to eventually be removed and euthanised.“Unfortunately, there was a breakdown in communication when the staff member who was temporarily feeding the chickens went on sick leave, leaving no one to attend to the feral chickens.“The Director of Parks, Ms Lisa Johnston, today advised she did speak with Mr Glyn Roberts from the SPCA, who in turn advised he understood the matter was a freak incident in light of his conversation with the bird caretaker on site.“Ms Johnston and Mr Roberts committed to their ongoing working relationship to ensure such issues are avoided in the future.”However, Mr Roberts denied accepting the matter was freakish, pointing to reports earlier this year of ducks being neglected at the Botanical Gardens.“It is not a freak accident,” he said."The SPCA is certainly happy that a meeting has been arranged to try and address what has become a regular issue involving the livestock at the Botanical Gardens.“We are looking forward to working with the Parks Department to address this and other issues and hopefully put measures in place to prevent it happening again."