Poultry growers and livestock producers have a lot on their minds. Production costs, including labor and inputs, usually get top billing on the list of items to worry about. When we think about the welfare of our flocks and herds, our focus is generally on the group’s overall health, audits, and the quality of the flock/herd environment. We consider water, feed, temperature, airflow, and the many other environmental factors that keep our animals healthy, happy, and stress-free. While rodent control is part of a clean environment, it often gets bumped down our long to-do list.

Meanwhile, rodent sightings or signs of rodent activity negatively impact animal welfare audits, and for good reason. We know these tiny creatures are a significant risk factor for bringing disease into our facilities. They are also the perfect mode of transportation for a variety of parasites. If these two threats weren’t enough reason to vigilantly stick to a thorough rodent control program, the fact that mice and rats feed off the fat pads of poultry or swine while they sleep should put producers over the edge.

Rodents can feed off the feet of poultry and swine during quiet nighttime hours, and this activity often goes unnoticed for a while as animals lack sensitivity in these areas of their body. Eventually, sores develop that can become infected, which can, in turn, be fatal if the infection progresses. Unfortunately, some poultry producers attribute the cause of the foot sores to pecking, which delays the discovery that rodents are the culprits.

A thorough and effective rodent management program includes prevention, detection, and elimination measures. Yet, even the best program will likely fail if compliance is an issue. Be proactive instead of reactive in your approach. Rotate properly placed products regularly and institute comprehensive monitoring protocols that are consistently followed. When in doubt, contact your Sioux Nation Ag Center field marketer or nearest location for expert advice and effective product lines to keep your rodent population low.