Marek's Disease and Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) are devestating and endemic virus that causes some of the most common cancers in animals. Numerous studies have shown the natural flavonoid baicalin found in Chinese Skullcap to effectively inhibit common poultry viruses, including Marek's, Avian Leukosis, Newcastle and Avian Influenza.
What is it and how does it work?
Baicalin is a flavonoid compound found in the roots of the Scutellaria baicalensis plant, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that baicalin efficiently treats various avian neoplastic (tumor-causing) and neurodegenerative viral diseases, such Marek's Disease and Lymphoid Leukosis. It does this by inhibiting viral replication and nerve cell damage, promoting growth of new neurons, reducing cell death, and inhibiting inflammatory processes.
If a virus cannot replicate, it can no longer cause disease in the infected host, or spread to other birds. In an uninfected bird, the preventetive dose can prevent infection on exposure. Baicalin reaches efficacy in 96 hours (4 days). After this point, as long as they are on the preventative dose, they are protected from both infection and disease.
Chinese Skullcap extract is inexpensive and easy to add to feed. When a bird has active viral disease, higher doses can give them a chance to rebuild their immune system with the virus in a dormant state - resulting in a bird with viral resistence. The medicinal propertoes of baicalin and other well known herbal treatments give us important tools to building disease resistence into our flocks and breeds.
Use and Administration
The recommended method of administration for poultry is mixed into feed - either mixing into the flock's normal feed supply, or as a daily supplimental feeding. Many flock owners find a soaked mash to be an effective way to administer the dose as it encourages all flock members to eat. Baicalin is not water soluble, and adding it to water is not an effective way of dosing a flock.
Baicalin has no lingering effects, meaning it does not stay in the system very long. If a bird stops eating and is not getting the prophylactic dose, they will once again be succeptible to infection. Baicalin extract powder is availabe in many different concentrations, and it is important to know what you have. 85% is recommended for use as a supplement.
Dosing Guidance
Critical Dose 85%: 500mg (twice per day for bantam breeds)
The critical dose is administered to a bird with active symptoms for no less than 2 weeks. The bird must be tapered down to the preventative dose, and moved back up to the critical dose if any symptoms worsen. Most find it easiest to administer in capsules directly into the affected chicken's mouth.
Preventative Dose 85%: 30mg
The prophylactic dose is given to all flock members every day. The dose is the same for all ages and sizes and breeds. The easiest method of is to mix into feed. It can be mixed with a small amount of coconut oil or honey as a binder to the feed, and red pepper flakes as a visual indicator of a thorough mix.
Mix into feed in a ratio of 235mg/kg
- 50lb bag - 5.3g
- 40lb bag - 4.2g