that is a PITA, to bring home the mites or lice or perhaps both . The flower dust you are using should work perfectly, you just have to work the dust into the feathers. Easy way to apply is with a nylon stocking - you can find them in dollar stores - you put the dust into the foot part and tie it off and use it like a powder puff. Focus on the back of the neck, under the wings, and the vent area, and belly - kind of ruffle the feathers to get it in down by the skin.
Minnie is right, frontline or similiar is easier, but it is much more toxic to the chickens and to you. ditto for sevin. If you have a large flock, heavier controls make more sense because of the numbers of chickens to be treated.
The flower dust has never failed for me.
Worms, not too often you would have worms the first year of keeping chickens. The longer you keep chickens in the same place, the more likely it is that you will have some worms. There is something called a "normal parasite load" - healthy chickens have worms, their systems are just balanced and they handle them fine. But, something tips that balance and the worms get the upper hand. Just like bacteria in your gut, if you get out of balance the "wrong" bacteria get the upper hand and you get sick.
I also laughed at the idea of putting a drop on the vent and having that worm a chicken! If only!!
Aren't you glad you practiced quarantine with your new chickens?
Hey, where are the pics of your new birds?
