Can mice spread parasites or diseases to chickens?

[jejo624]

We found mice in our chick starter feed. Probably been using it a while. I've already decided I'd better dump it, but I hope someone can tell me if indeed mice can spread intestinal or other parasites or diseases to chicks, particularly through their waste? (Please don't comment on mice infecting humans -- I already have a background in that, and my question here is just about chickens). Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

Chicken diseases such as fowl cholera, salmonella, and I'm sure others are spread by mice and rats. I use old fashioned metal garbage cans to hold my feed in my coop, and put them up on 2/4's so the bottom doesn't rust.
In additions to the above diseases, coryza, mycoplasma, E.coli, enteritis, lice, mites and fleas can all be brought in by mice and rats.

 

[realsis]

Yes mice and rats can spread diseases and mites, bugs ect. It is best to keep the food in a sealed container if possible.