The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says the population of birds at St John's Arboretum have been 'humanely managed'.
Questions had been asked online about whether chickens on the site were being culled to keep numbers down.
The arboretum contains a mix of birds including free-ranging domestic poultry, which are believed to have originated from birds abandoned at the site over several years.
DEFA says its approach has always been to manage the population through measures that prevent further growth and occasionally, responsible, humane population management has been required.
Whilst it recognises the positive contribution the birds bring to the site, it says issues of noise pollution and intrusion into nearby properties have been raised.
To prevent excessive population growth going forward, people are asked not to feed the chickens, avoid bread when feeding the ducks and not to abandon unwanted poultry or other animals there.
Read the full statement below:
'The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) proactively monitors and manages the population of birds at the Arboretum in St John's as part of its wider responsibility for the site.
'In doing so, it seeks to balance animal welfare, environmental management, public enjoyment, and the views of the community.
'Most visitors regard the birds as an important and well-loved feature of the Arboretum, and DEFA recognises the positive contribution they make to the character of the site.
'The Arboretum contains a mixture of birds, including free-ranging domestic poultry that are believed to have originated from birds abandoned at the site over several years.
'The growing population of poultry on the site has generated concerns that have been raised directly with the Department, with specific issues of noise pollution and property intrusion from residents.
'DEFA's approach has always been to manage the population responsibly through measures such as monitoring numbers, preventing further growth where appropriate, and discouraging supplementary feeding.
'Responsible, humane population management has been required occasionally.'
To prevent excessive population growth, we ask members of the public:
• Not to feed the chickens. Regular feeding can encourage population growth, increase dependence on people and contribute to animal welfare, environmental and public amenity issues.
• To avoid bread when feeding the ducks. Appropriate poultry or waterfowl feed is preferable and should only be provided in moderation.
• Not to abandon unwanted poultry or other animals at the Arboretum or any public site.
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