When you sell birds on mite-infested farms, migrating rodents can transport mites to adjacent farms. Rats can transport 18 different kinds of mites, lice, fleas, and ticks. The best way to control rats and mice is to close all access routes into buildings, but this is difficult to do in poultry houses. The second best control method is to remove all shelter, food, and water, which again, poultry farmers are not able to do. That leaves using one or a combination of poisoning, trapping, or using cats.
Some people consider cats a nuisance.
However, when properly managed, cats do control mice but cannot be relied upon to reduce rat populations severely, although they will restrict a population buildup. Males only occasionally hunt well. Cats should be well fed and watered to maintain good vigor. They do not have to be starved to cause them to hunt mice. A bowl kept supplied with a dry commercial cat food and fresh water nearby is a good feeding program.