Jan Grootoonk convincing winner of Ruffec in Section 11

The victory in the race from Ruffec in Section 11 goes convincingly to Jan Grootoonk from Bant with NL24-8091546. This red cock's sire is NL21-1100801 ‘Barcelona King’ from Combinatie J. Hommes & zn, and his mother is NL23-9605527, a red-shelled hen whose father is ‘progenitor Nygel’  from the loft of Jan Grootoonk.

Pigeon racing as a family tradition

‘I've been around pigeons since I was young,’ says Jan. ‘My father and brother practised our beautiful sport, and now my son Yoël is continuing that tradition.’ The passion is deeply rooted in the Grootoonk family.

From Janssen to Jellema: a strong foundation

Jan started out with pigeons from Gebr. Janssen in Almelo, which included Van Loon and Perquin bloodlines. Later, he made purchases from Deurwaarder/Pronk, mainly Van der Flaes pigeons. Over the years, he expanded his stock with lines from Bollebakker, Nico Volkens and, in particular, pigeons suitable for long distance and ZLU flights. To this end, he sought reinforcement from big names such as Jelle Jellema, Gerard van Schalkwijk, Combinatie Hommes & Zn, Henri Hoeks, Appie Pas, Wim Gielen and Benno Kastelein.

Two stock pigeons of exceptional class

The current basis of Jan's breeding loft revolves around two absolute stock pigeons:

‘NYGEL’ from the Livai line: a top breeder of exceptional class, with more than 12 children already in the breeding loft. Nygel's descendants fly and breed at the highest level.

‘BLAUWE HULK’: another super breeder who has more than proven his worth. Several of his offspring are also active in breeding, with success up to NPO level.

Jan pairs as many purchased pigeons as possible with these two lines. The result: offspring that excel both in the racing team and in the breeding loft. Several NPO victories have already been achieved from these strong crosses.

Stamm building: the backbone of the colony

The basis of my colony is deeply rooted in the old lines of Bollebakker and Nico Volkens, among others. These strains still form an important foundation in my breeding loft. However, I have not been idle in recent years. I have consciously invested in pigeons from strong lofts that have proven themselves at the highest level, especially in the tough ZLU races.

I purchased pigeons from or with the stock of: Jelle Jellema, Gerard van Schalkwijk, Combinatie Hommes & Zn, Herman Hendriks, Henri Hoeks, Appie Pas, Wim Gielen and Benno Kastelein. These newcomers are carefully integrated into my breeding stock and crossed with my very best lines.

The absolute core of my stock consists of two exceptional breeders: “Nygel” and “Blauwe Hulk”.

“Nygel” is a son from the Livai line and, in my opinion, one of the best breeders I have ever had. His offspring are nothing short of impressive; more than twelve of his children are now in breeding. The results speak for themselves.

The ‘Blauwe Hulk’ also proves to be a top breeder of stature. Just like with ‘Nygel’, several of his children are now being used for breeding. The combination of flying and breeding quality makes these two pigeons my real stock pigeons. What their children achieve is unprecedented: not only do they fly themselves into the spotlight, but they also breed extremely strongly. Several NPO winners have now emerged from these lines.

In short, my stock is built on a solid foundation, supplemented by targeted investments and supported by two exceptional breeders.

Feeding schedule for the racing team

When it comes to nutrition, I like to keep it simple. Whereas I used to mix different bags of feed, for several years now I have been using only one base: Koopman All-In One. I use this to make two mixtures:

Light mixture:

• 50% Koopman All-In One
• 25% paddy
• 25% Robaeys Rust

Heavier mixture:

• 80% Koopman All-In One
• 10% paddy
• 10% Robaeys Rust

In the spring, the racing team mainly gets the light mixture. On the day of basketing, I switch to the heavier variant.

During the ZLU or overnight season, the pigeons are given the light mixture in the morning and the heavier mixture in the evening. I give them just enough so that some paddy and barley remain, that way I know they have had enough.

Increasing feed before basketing

When basketing on Monday, I start increasing the feed three days in advance. I use the heavier mixture, mixed with the high-fat mixture from Versele-Laga. The pigeons are given plenty of this feed in the morning and evening. There is always enough food available, both in the feed trough and in pots near the nesting boxes. Every morning and evening, I give them fresh feed.

In addition, during these three days, the pigeons also get a few peanuts in the evening as an extra energy boost.

The racing system 

We only race from the nest. I prefer to basket the pigeons on eggs, as this ensures peace and quiet in the loft and I feel that it is easier to keep the pigeons in good shape than when they are sitting on young. Moreover, I have achieved my best results with pigeons on eggs. In the past, we often tried with a youngster of about five to six days old, but this year I deliberately chose to race on eggs again for every race. I'm not sure if that really works better, it's mainly a matter of feeling. We usually basket the pigeons when they are sitting on eggs that are 10 to 12 days old; that just works well for us.

As far as training is concerned, in previous seasons the pigeons trained at 5:30 in the morning and around 8:30 in the evening. This year, I have chosen to release them only in the evening, about an hour before dark. Then they feel like training and usually fly for a good hour to an hour and a half, under the flag. The reason for training only once a day is simple: twice a day became too physically demanding for me. Moreover, I see that other fanciers do not necessarily sacrifice performance. That is why I made this change.

After returning home from the flight, the pigeons simply go back to the nest. Before the next flight, I break the nest so that they are sitting on eggs that are about 10 days old again. In the spring, the pigeons are also darkened, usually from the beginning of March to mid-April.

Medical supervision 

The medical approach is fairly simple and based on experience. For every important ZLU or overnight flight, the pigeons that are going always get a yellow pill ten days in advance. Afterwards, I give them one extra day. I rarely do anything about problems with their heads, unless I really feel it is necessary. In that case, I give them an ornithosis pill, but this is purely based on feeling and certainly not standard practice.

On the other hand, I have been giving the yellow pill consistently for years and will continue to do so. The pigeons' droppings are an important indicator for me. If they are good and the pigeons are training well, I see no reason to give medication.

During the season, I don't visit the vet every few weeks. Only when I notice that something is really wrong do I contact vet Nanne Wolf. I have a lot of confidence in him; he has a lot of knowledge about pigeons. If he recommends something, I definitely follow his advice, although fortunately that rarely happens.

Championships and titles won:

In 2024:

Long distance union championship:

• 1st Champions League
• 2nd unassigned

In 2023: 

• ‘New NYGEL’ 1st NATIONAL Sect. 4 BERGERAC 2023

In 2022: 

• 1st unassigned department Friesland
• 4th assigned Champion department Friesland
• 1st final ranking Podium National Grand Master Marathon

Notable results and achievements:

2025:

• Ruffec (851km) department 11 against 2258 pigeons: 1, 4, 49, 61, 163, 182, 248, 294 and 307  9 prizes from 24 pigeons 

In 2024:

• Agen (1047km) ZLU national against 5266 pigeons: 182, 337, 408, 410, 475, 495 

• Barcelona (1274km) ZLU national against 5325 pigeons: 24, 132, 184, 302, 349, 501, 596 

• Dax (1128 km) ZLU national against 2110 pigeons: 27, 31, 32, 44, 77, 365, 393 

• Marseille (1053 km) ZLU national 2855 pigeons:  64, 71, 523 

• Narbonne (1089km) ZLU national against 4672 pigeons: 10, 518 

• Perpignan (1123km) ZLU national against 4360 pigeons: 28, 117, 385 

Results between 2019-2023

• Bergerac department 11 against 1718 pigeons:: 1, 2 ,6, 8, 9, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 41, 57, 69, 71, 72, 76, 79, 82, 84, 89, 92, 96, 106, 107, etc. 65 prizes from 85 pigeons

• Limoges department 11 against 1420 pigeons: 2nd, 52nd, 58th, 68th, 82nd, 90th, 104th, 116th, 129th, 138th , etc. 32 prizes from 63 pigeons

• •    Cahors department 11 against 801 pigeons: 1st, 14th, 22nd, 26th, 169th, 231st    6 prizes from 10 pigeons

• •    Agen department 11 against 732 pigeons: 2nd, 5th, 55th, 61st, 79th, 169th    6 prizes from 6 pigeons

• Ruffec department 11 against 1591 pigeons: 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 25th, 47th, 56th, 58th, 64th, 73rd, 95th, 96th , 101st etc. 36 prizes from 55 pigeons

• Limoges department 11 against 1527 pigeons: 3rd, 4th, 18th, 46th, 76th, 77th, 104th, 114th, 122nd, 130th, etc. 22 prizes from 42 pigeons

• Libourne department 11 against 2274 pigeons: 2nd, 13th, 16th, 72nd, 73rd, 83rd, 112th, 134th, 135th, 136th, 137th, 193rd, 199th, etc. 30 prizes from 51 pigeons

• Limoges department 11 against 1392 pigeons: 6th, 7th, 34th, 38th, 45th, 53rd, 233rd, 378th, etc. 8 prizes from 17 pigeons

• Limoges department 11 against 1860 pigeons: 1st, 4th, 24th, 35th, 46th, 80th, 88th, 119th, 184th, 216th, 280th, 296th, etc. 17 prizes from 34 pigeons

• Bergerac division 11 against 1642 pigeons: 1, 4, 19, 20, 24, 73, 76, 80, 126, 139, 148, 150, 224, 229 etc. 21 prizes from 47 pigeons

• Periqueux department 11 against 1767 pigeons: 6, 7, 15, 47, 70, 76, 91, 92, 100, 113, 128, 133, 159, 162 etc. 20 prizes from 28 pigeons

Jan and Yoël, congratulations from the Herbots team!

Christophe Mathues