louse powder how to use it?

[motherhen]

I have tiny bugs in the coop on the beams and stuff. I think they are mites or lice. I have seen a few tiny bugs on the chickens. The feed store recommended louse powder because that is was what the poultry farms use. How long do you have to wait until it is safe to eat the eggs? Luckily my chickens are broody or too young right now. How do you get the powder to stick on the walls and roof?
I want to try DE but the brands that are around do not say it is food safe on the label. Is there are brand that is safe to use?
Any ideas are helpful.

 

[Chickee's Mom]

Hello from Alberta, I also think I have lice and not sure what to use. I read some where that you could use wood ashes mixed in where they bath in the dry dirt. Will try that first and let you know how it works.

 

[rufus]

Yes, my mom used to put the cold ashes from the wood stove in the chicken yard where the hens took their dust baths. We never had any bugs on our chickens, but in retrospect, I remember that she was also on a personal crusade to kill every darn fly in the state. She thought DDT was God's gift to mankind. She sprayed down the chicken yard and coops regulary. So, I am not really sure about the ashes killing bugs.

Rufus

 

[Chickee's Mom]

Well I put the ashes out and the chickens won't bath in that place any more, they picked a new spot. Guess I will get some dusting powder and try that.