Rodent contaminated seed - what's in it?

[monotwine]

I've tried to google and search, but not finding much of a concrete answer to my question which is:

How does mouse/rat droppings and pee contaminate seed and what are the health risks to birds? Mouldy seed can retain toxins that then affect birds health, will there be anything like that with rodent contaminated seed?

I assume Ecoli and Salmonella would be present. Anything else?
I've found lots of info on how to decontaminate seeds for sprouting (human consumption), but nothing on bird feed.

Basically I got a bag of grass seeds from a new supplier. I'm not happy I found mouse/rat poop in it - a fair amount after I sieved it all out. I don't want to feed it to my birds as I assume it has nasties and to take it back to be refunded will cost more than its worth.

I can sow the seed and use it for milk seed - a growing period between feeding will "cleanse" the new seed produced. So will find a use for it. However I was then wondering what exactly mouse contaminated seed holds as a threat to the birds and cannot find too much of a straight answer.

[natamambo]

There's a pretty scary list here http://www.cdc.gov/rodents/diseases/direct.html.

Can't you get some recourse from your supplier? Perhaps get them to ship you more?

[monotwine]

Thanks for that. Eek rather scary page but some nice homework for me to read up on this weekend.

Re the supplier. I bought a sample of his stuff only thankfully, not my usuall Kg's. If this is an ok standard for him, I'd rather never use his products at all - though I will be calling him to say why I won't use his stuff. I'll stick to less variety and stay with my current supplier that I know tests all his seed shipments before selling.

[E Orix]

It is nearly impossible to buy seed that has not been in contact with Rodents some where,paddock,tempory Silo, wholesaler, truck or Seed Merchant etc.
That is why we buy early in the season and store it our selves in old domestic freezers. If your Merchant is serious he will look after the seed and you.
Good fresh seed is clean(no dust)shiney and doesn't smell. As I have said earlier I do not read what the chemical break up is my eyes and nose tell me alot more.

[Myzomela]

The main ones here in Australia are Salmonella and E.coli as you have mentioned and Yersisnia, another bacterium particularly common in colder months in the southern half of the country.

In South Africa, you no doubt have your own additions to these and maybe your local vet may be able to give you a more complete list.

The point as you and E orix have mentioned is getting clean seed to start with and then storing it properly and securely.

Fungal toxins are produced more from environmental conditions ie humidity rather than coming from rodents or other vermin.

[monotwine]

Thanks for your replies.