Are mice a threat to Bobwhites?

[ForestChicken]

I'm new to Bobwhites and I was wondering if mice are a danger to them? I don't mean in their droppings or eating their food sense. I know chickens will kill a mouse, but bobwhites are much smaller, will mice hurt them? Will they hurt mice? Or will they leave each other alone?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Other than spreading disease and parasites that you say you already are aware of... my opinion is yes.

Don't mice moms eat their young just like rats sometimes? If so this is just one step away from eating your birds ALIVE! Rats do it quite often, just look at rat wars here on BYC.

Also mice might draw in larger predators that ARE a threat to your quail.

Not all chickens will kill a mouse. None of mine go after the rats or gophers. More often they are just trying to figure out what they are so far. Now I'm not talking pinkies here. Maybe they will learn to. Maybe the size of the flock matters or it's experience. Right now my flock gather around a watch!

1/2 inch hardware cloth will keep mice out, then no worry about who hurts who.