No Antibiotics: Natural Animal Health at Credo Farms

Why we believe healthy animals start with healthy soil, clean pasture, and natural methods—not pharmaceuticals.

At Credo Farms, one of our most important standards is simple but powerful: we do not use antibiotics on our animals—ever. This isn’t a marketing trend for us. It’s a deeply held belief rooted in the natural patterns of life, the traditional farming wisdom of our ancestors, and the modern understanding that food should nourish and not disrupt the body.

In this post, we’ll explain why we’ve chosen a no-antibiotic policy, how we support animal health naturally (including our use of Shaklee Basic H for deworming), and why this matters for your health, the soil, and future generations.

Why We Don’t Use Antibiotics

In industrial farming, antibiotics are used routinely—not just for treating illness, but to prevent disease in crowded conditions and even to promote faster growth. This widespread use has serious consequences: antibiotic resistance, gut microbiome disruption, and drug residues in the meat and eggs people eat every day.

Our approach is different. We raise animals on clean pasture, giving them space to move, forage, and live in fresh air and sunshine. When animals live as nature intended, they simply don’t get sick often. And when they do, we turn to natural support—not pharmaceuticals.

Shaklee Basic H: Our Organic Dewormer

One of the few inputs we use on our farm is a product called Shaklee Basic H. This natural, biodegradable surfactant has been used by organic farmers for decades. It’s gentle, non-toxic, and effective in helping control internal parasites in poultry and livestock.

Unlike conventional chemical dewormers like ivermectin, Basic H works in harmony with the animal’s biology and doesn’t contaminate soil or water. We dilute it and add it to water systems on a rotation schedule, especially in humid months when parasite pressure is highest. Paired with rotational grazing and observation, it’s been an invaluable part of our health plan.

Natural Health Starts With Clean Living

As Dr. Thomas Cowan often reminds us, it’s not about killing off every germ or parasite—it’s about creating an internal and external environment where the animal’s immune system can do its job. Healthy “terrain” (both in the gut and the soil) is what keeps animals resilient.

That’s why our practices also include:

• Rotational grazing to prevent buildup of parasites and disease
• Clean, non-GMO, soy-free, and corn-free feed to support gut health
• Shade, shelter, and open space to reduce stress and heat-related illness
• Daily observation by people, not machines—real care from real farmers

Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Integrity

In the early 20th century, Dr. Weston A. Price traveled the globe documenting how traditional cultures nourished themselves without modern medicine. He found that people who ate nutrient-dense, animal-based foods—raised cleanly, from healthy animals—had strong bodies, wide jaws, and no need for drugs or dentists.

At Credo Farms, we follow this same thinking. We believe that what we feed our animals, how we raise them, and the soil they live on—these things shape the nutritional profile of the food we produce. The more natural and balanced the animal’s life, the more nourishing their eggs, meat, and fat become.

Joel Salatin puts it simply: “Let the animal express its essence.” That’s what we aim for—chickens that act like chickens, pigs that root and play, and cows that graze under the sun. No need for drugs when nature’s rhythms are respected.

Why This Matters for You

When you buy food from animals raised without antibiotics, you’re not just avoiding harmful residues—you’re also investing in:

• Meat and eggs richer in vitamins and omega-3s
• Food free from hidden chemicals or gut-disruptors
• Farming that regenerates the land rather than polluting it
• Better immune support through naturally structured fats and minerals

This is food the way your grandparents would’ve recognized. It’s clean, ethical, and life-giving.

No Antibiotics, No Compromises

We don’t take shortcuts with animal health or your health. Instead, we take the long way—the honest, hard-working way that respects the land, honors the animal, and delivers food with integrity.

So when you choose Credo Farms, you’re choosing more than antibiotic-free. You’re choosing food raised with care, tradition, and trust.