There are certain annual recurring phenomena that occur around the same time. One of them is that this father-son tandem consistently tops the results every year when the national young bird races are on.
This father-son duo, which is actually a trio—because mother Martine is certainly not to be forgotten in the overall pigeon family—is a true fixture in the middle distance and extreme middle distance, year after year.
At 65, father Karel is a wiry jack-of-all-trades. Always on the go, somewhat obsessed with pigeons, fully supported in this by son Stijn (37) and his wife Martine, a wonderful family hobby. Their squadron consists of approximately 25 breeding pairs, 32 yearlings and older racing pigeons (50/50 cocks and hens), and about 100 youngsters.
They pair both the breeding and racing pigeons early (at the end of November). They breed from all their pigeons (or practically all of them, as sometimes a pair is used as a breeding pair) to ensure they have as many early youngsters as possible, ready to compete fully in the national young bird races.
The old and yearling pigeons (on total widowhood) participate in the extreme middle-distance races. These "old birds" are not darkened because they are fully trained from the very first races and are expected to be at the top of the results. Therefore, delaying tactics are not an option.
These pigeons are basketed as much as possible, each training once a day for 45 minutes to an hour, and are allowed to meet for an hour the day before basketing. Afterward, they are separated again and given plenty of food and water so they go into the basket with a full tank.
Their pigeon stock is built on what one might call their own old breed, with their top performing pigeons being placed in the breeding loft. This in-house breed has been supplemented with excellent pigeons from the late Raf Den Haeze from Moortsele, who was a gifted champion in the extreme middle distance and also supplied several top pigeon lofts (Limbourg, Van Eynde-Goovaerts, Marnik & Tom Van Gaver, etc.). A dose of Gevaert-Lannoo pigeons also has a very positive effect on the results and offspring.
When we asked which pigeons achieve the best results with, namely cocks or hens, they couldn't make a noticeable difference. Sometimes weather conditions vary, and this balance is sometimes disrupted, but a healthy gender balance is a consistent finding.
The feed used is the Versele-Laga range, ranging from Gerry Plus to Plus Champion and Energy Plus mixtures. Before each basketing, the pigeons are fed a full feeder, and the feeding is increased during the last two to three days. The Winners range is used as supplements (recovery, respiratory, general condition, etc.).
Veterinarian Johan Van der Cruyssen in Oosterzele visits them monthly for check-ups and preventative measures. Intervention is only performed when Johan deems it necessary.
All of the above care resulted in a victory at Bourges national level, followed by a provincial victory in the young pigeon category.

Bourges Blitz (BE25-4033003) wins provincial young bird title

In the previous explanation, we gave a glimpse into the ins and outs of Karel, Stijn, and Martine's care and approach. No quantum physics, but proper, punctual care, aimed at providing a healthy dose of pigeon fun while also aiming for a top prize in the races. The young birds are separated a few weeks before the first national race and raced in widowhood ("the sliding door") for the remainder of the season. Just like the old birds, they are reunited for the race but can still enjoy a good meal afterward.
At the opening national race with the young birds from Bourges, it was bingo. Bourges Blitz, a young cock, brought the provincial victory to Heistraat in Oosterzele.
It was to be expected that the national top prize wouldn't fall in East Flanders, with a strong southwesterly tailwind. The wind usually determines the winner, and this is especially true at higher wind speeds. With a speed of 1,418 meters per minute, Bourges Blitz takes the provincial victory from 4,455 participating young pigeons, also wins 1st zonal against 2,617 pigeons, and finishes 347th nationally against 21,502 pigeons.

A strong and satisfying performance from this young cock! He is bred from a two-year-old cock (which still flies in the racing loft) from their own old breed with a touch of the pigeons of the late Raf Den Haeze.
The mother is a yearling hen (also in the racing loft) of the same origin. Proof that there's a distinction between breeding pigeons and racing pigeons that exists only in theory, but shows no difference in results (food for thought).

There are some tweaks to the national races, postponements, cancellations... but we eagerly look forward to the upcoming races, where we have no doubt this combination will still be at the top of the list. In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful victory!

Congratulations from the Herbots team!

Geert Dhaenens