Brootcoorens-De Leye (Onkerzele) 1st Provincial Limoges against 2,476 yearlings

It was not that long ago that we visited our good friend and neighbour Eric Brootcoorens to admire one of his provincial winners, and during the latest national long-distance race from Limoges it was once again a case of bingo. It was yearling “BE25-4020496” that, with a convincing winning margin, not only clocked the fastest time in its own category but also proved to be the fastest of all 4,212 East Flanders pigeons competing from Limoges. “496” recorded an average speed of 1,260.56 m/min and was joined on the podium by the old pigeon of Chris Hebberecht (1,252.13 m/min) and the yearling of Alain Douchamps (Aspelare – 1,251.58 m/min).

Father of provincial winner,  original Haak-Soen,  bought by Eric on internetauction Pigeons Bids Herbots website 

A victory that restores confidence

Eric – who races together with his wife Marleen – enjoys competing in several races every weekend, focusing mainly on middle-distance, greater middle-distance and long-distance events. He is a regular visitor at the pigeon club in Viane, where he is always a welcome guest. There is never a dull moment when Eric is around, because if there is one person who loves talking about pigeons, it is him. This year, however, things were different, as the season had not gone the way he had hoped so far. It clearly bothered our fancier from Geraardsbergen, and he certainly did not hide his disappointment. But this victory makes up for a lot… “I’m not going to say that I’ve had a fantastic season,” Eric says, “but a victory like this means a great deal. I see it as a reward for all the hard work I’ve put in, and it gives me the motivation to keep pushing until the end of the season. On the other hand, last winter I moved several of my best old racers to the breeding loft, and you do notice that, especially when the yearlings are not yet performing as expected.”

The 2026 season started with a team of around 40 widowhood cocks. When asked whether he also races hens, Erik replied: “I have done so successfully on several occasions, but in 2026 I decided to focus solely on widowhood with cocks. It may well have been a big mistake not to race hens. In 2027 I will try again to master that system, because when I see how many fanciers achieve great success with hens, I feel as if I’m one step behind.”
“Because we had a holiday planned for the end of December 2025, my old widowhood cocks were not paired during the winter but only in January. The hens and youngsters were weaned in time so that the hens would not lay a second round of eggs. There was no second pairing in March or April. My yearlings were paired only in mid-March and, after a few days of incubation, they too were placed on widowhood. My widowhood cocks are housed in different sections. At the start of the season they all race the same programme, but as the season progresses each pigeon follows its own schedule. The cocks are basketed every two weeks, while those racing the long-distance events compete every three weeks. I have learned from experience that rest is not always an advantage.”
“At the beginning of the season, the widowhood cocks train twice a day, but since the hot weather arrived they only train once, very early in the morning. And by very early I mean between 5:45 and 6:00 a.m. Even though I’m retired, I still set my alarm clock especially to let my cocks train that early.”
“For decades I have had complete confidence in Versele-Laga feeds. Gerry Plus forms the basis of the feeding programme and towards the end of the week I gradually switch to Champion and Energy Plus. Even the pigeons that stay at home for a week are built up with richer feed, and on the day the others race they receive no food so that they regain a healthy appetite. Applying the same care routine every week certainly does no harm to widowhood cocks. Regularity is definitely an advantage. 
The widowhood cocks are fed from a communal feeding trough. I always use the same measuring cup to ensure consistency.
I have an extensive range of supplements in my cupboard. The products I use most frequently are elderberry syrup with brewer’s yeast, Boost X5 (Oropharma), Muscle Power (Oropharma), Gervit W (Röhnfried) and Belgasol (De Weerd). It is worth mentioning that whenever I add supplements to the feed, I do so only in the morning. In the afternoon they always receive plain grains.
As far as medical care is concerned, during the racing season I visit veterinarian Wim Boddaert (Oostkamp) every month. I follow his advice without hesitation. Against trichomoniasis the pigeons receive a treatment for several days before the start of the season, after which all pigeons receive a yellow drop in each nostril every week. By all pigeons I mean all widowhood cocks, all widowhood hens and all young birds. It is quite a job, but I believe it is well worth investing my time and energy.

Have I treated against ornithosis recently? Yes... fourteen days before Limoges they received a three-day treatment on the advice of veterinarian Wim Boddaert.”

Eric and Marleen, congratulations on this new provincial victory and we wish you many more successes.

Stefan Mertens