Baicalin Protocol for Marek's and Avian Leukosis

Marek's Disease and Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) are devestating and endemic virus that causes some of the most common cancers in animals. 

Baicalin is the first known effective treatment and prevention for both Marek's and Avian Leukosis viruses that is accessible to backyard poultry owners and breeders.

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, suppressing oxidative stress, inhibiting excitotoxicity, and promoting neurogenesis, reducing apoptosis, and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. (See Resources for links to clinical studies)

How does it work?

What this means in layman's terms is that it stops the viruses from replicating. 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

Purchase 85% Baicalin Powder

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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