Marek's Disease and Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) are devestating and endemic virus that causes some of the most common cancers in animals.
Baicalin has been clinically shown to treat and prevent common poultry viruses, including Marek's, Avian Leukosis, Newcastle and Avian Influenza.
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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 and prevents various avian neoplasticand neurodegenerative viral diseases, such Marek's Disease and Lymphoid Leukosis, by inhibiting viral replication and nerve cell damage, promoting growth of new neurons, reducing cell death, and inhibiting inflammatory processes. Baicalin in daily feed in the right amount has been clinically proven to keep Marek's virus dormant, eradicate ALV and Newcastle, and prevent new infections of Avian Influenza on exposure. (See Resources for links to clinical studies)
If a virus cannot replicate, it can no longer cause disease in the infected host, or spread to other birds. In an uninfected bird, Baicalin prevents infection entirely. It 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.
Baicalin is inexpensive and easy to add to feed as a prophylactic. When a bird has active Mareks disease, high doses can save the bird's life and give it a chance to rebuild it's immune system with the virus in a dormant state - resulting in a bird with viral resistence at a DNA level. Treating with Baicalin gives us a tool to build real disease resistence into our flocks and breeds.
Use and Administration
Baicalin extract powder is availabe in many different concentrations, and it is important to know what you have. 85% is the most widely available of the higher concentrations, and is recommended for this protocol. *When selecting a supplier, it is important to see the manufacturer's Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing the tested concentration.
The recommended method of administration is in 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.
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
Feed Ratio Calculator
Enter the pounds of feed below to calculate the grams of Baicalin 85% to mix in for the preventative dose.
Purchase 85% Baicalin Powder
References
The Information in this article is based on the extended work by the Mary Mason and team in the Positive About Marek's and Avian Leukosis Virus Facebook group, which has been studying and working with this treatment protocol for over a year in hundreds of flocks around the world. Mary's group is a wealth of resources in treatments and support for Marek's and ALV positive flocks.
Antiviral effect of baicalin on Marek’s disease virus in CEF cells
Yang, F., Feng, C., Yao, Y. et al. Antiviral effect of baicalin on Marek’s disease virus in CEF cells. BMC Vet Res16, 371 (2020).
Baicalin is an inhibitor of subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection
Kun Qian, Zheng-Ru Kong, Jie Zhang, Xiao-Wei Cheng, Zong-Yi Wu, Cheng-Xi Gu, Hong-Xia Shao, Ai-Jian Qin, Baicalin is an inhibitor of subgroup J avian leukosis virus infection, Virus Research, Volume 248, 2018, Pages 63-70, ISSN 0168-1702