Michel Lossignol (Budingen) achieves a stunning result with 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 12th National Bourges 16,705 young pigeons

We have come to expect a lot from this colony, but at Bourges National they pulled a stunt out of their hat that they themselves had not anticipated, and about which they immediately exclaimed: "We will never see this again." Michel Lossignol & Geert Vlaeyen run the colony, and we all know what they are capable of.

Now at Bourges, they clocked 4 of their 10 entered young pigeons in just 7 minutes. An incredible result, and this on their first national race. Additionally, they clocked 4th National among the old pigeons and a total of 7 pigeons in the national top 100 across all 3 categories combined. 

Bourges Nat 16,705 young pigeons: 2, 3, 8, 12, 127, 127, 271,… 9/10

Bourges Nat 9,070 yearlings: 36,.. 2/3

Bourges Nat 5,316 old pigeons: 4, 71, 349,… 4/4

In the pedigree of the pigeons, you can see the common thread of Willem De Bruijn's pigeons and the rigorous selection they have carried out over the years. However, we can also be proud that we, as the Herbots family, had a significant input into their first pigeon. The mother comes directly from the Herbots family and is a daughter of their super breeder “Supreme”. Further down in the article, you can admire the 4 pedigrees of the young pigeons.

**Preparation of young pigeons**

The young pigeons were placed on the sliding door fairly quickly so that the young hens could train harder with the old hens. From the very beginning, they also train alongside the youngsters, but as soon as the young cocks start to show their hormones, this is no longer possible. Then the sexes are separated, and the pace picks up again. At that point, the young cocks still train alone for a while because they are not yet strong enough to compete against the old widowers, but once they truly show their potential as young males, they are allowed to fly with the widowers immediately. They go out only once a day and are only not let out on Sundays. Training now takes place here on Fridays as well, the day of basketing, compared to the past. We consider it positive to let them fly again even then.

They certainly do on the other days, and on Thursdays we usually drive them about 25 km and allow them to stay together for a few hours. In the afternoon, we usually release them again and give them a good meal. We also take the old hens along for an extra training flight, where they also get to see their partners on Thursday morning.

Regarding darkening, they start in early March and stop in early June. Artificial lighting is not used here.

Most young pigeons mainly flew sprint races and then did Melun and Toury as an introduction to the 2 nights in the basket. After Bourges, most of them flew Soissons again and then they go back to Argenton.

In terms of nutrition, they receive Paloma D21 and, at the end of the week, Paloma D100 together with Beyers Sport Light. They also receive some peanuts after being called in to provide some extra fats.

Medical supervision is overseen by Raf Herbots, and Herbots and Herbovet products are also administered. Omega Oil, in particular, is often given at the end of the week. Regarding trichomoniasis, they treat every 3 to 4 weeks, and the same applies to the respiratory tract. Yellow drops are not used. The young pigeons received two vaccinations against paramyxo rota and one against pox.

The first 4 arrivals

BE 26-2001905 Unicque – Blue Hen
2 Nat Bourges 16.705p
22 Soissons 2.158p

Father BE 17-2152481 Son Olympic 442 
Nestmate of “482” is father of 1st National Chateauroux 
Proven top breeder and 
father of “841/18” 4 x 1st 
father of “544/18” 4x 1st 
father of “288/20” 1st Soissons 2,474p 
Son of “NL 442/14” Olympic Willem De Bruijn x “NL 428/14” Blue granddaughter Zidane Willem De Bruijn

Mother BE 23-2112790 Daughter Supreme – Herbots Jo & Raf 
Daughter of “667/16” Supreme won 1st National Tulle 6,207p – 2nd National Argenton 11,838p x “579/18” Daughter Mister Unique Demely won 1st National Limoges 14,510p – 2nd National Brive 9.278p

BE 26-2001932 Blue Cock

3 Nat Bourges 16.705p
1 Toury 253p – 4 Toury 3.110p
76 Melun 1.999p

Father BE 24-2062082 Blue
Won herself 1 Soissons 837p – 1 Momignies 383p – 1 Momignies 346p – 2 Soissons 992p – 2 Soissons 731p – 2 Laon 125p – 3 St.Soupplets 576p – 3 Soissons 576p - 3 Soissons 413p – 5 Soissons 716p – 6 Soissons 2,680p 
Son of “487/17” Blauwe Lambrechts x “NL 432/17” Inbred Hurricane Willem De Bruijn

Mother BE 18-2060578 Thelma 
Won herself 1 Chevrain 502p – 4 Nat Gueret 7,175p – 8 Chevrain 2,718p 
Daughter from “303/11” Grey x “598/15” Daughter Witpen 250 won 7 x 1st

BE 26-2001904 Checkered Hen

8 Nat Bourges 16.705p
5 Toury 3.110p

Father BE 23-2038660 Son Olympic Geert
Brother of “124/18” 7th Nat Ace Pigeon Middle Distance KBDB 2020 and father of 1st Nat Argenton 13,988d (fastest of 25,544d)
Brother of “Stuntman” is father of “Superwoman” 9th Nat Ace Pigeon Middle Distance KBDB 2024
Son of “919/17” Olympic Geert x “779/16” Dikke Duivin Kristof Briglia

Mother DV 076-21-719 Blue – Frank Book
Mother of 1 Soissons 731p – 1 Momignies 611p – 1 Soissons 575p – 1 Bourges 475p - 3 Soissons 819p – 6 Soissons 2,018p – 24 Nat Bourges 20.328p

BE 26-2001922 Checkered Hen

12 Nat Bourges 16.705p
16 Soissons 2.158p
36 Melun 1.999p

Father BE 21-2110352 Blue won 1 Soissons 1,704p himself – 1 Lorris 151p 
Son of “846/16” Den 846 won 3 x 1st Middle Distance himself and 100% Willem De Bruijn x “NL 681/19” Granddaughter Uranus Willem De Bruijn

Mother BE 22-2111917 Superwoman 
Won 1 Prov Ace Pigeon Middle Distance KBDB herself – 9 Nat Ace Pigeon Middle Distance KBDB 2024 Won 16 x 1/100 
1 Lorris 2,160p - 1 Lorris 939p – 2 Soissons 3,037p – 2 Soissons 1,000p - 3 Soissons 1,303p - 3 Lorris 2,302p – 4 Momignies 2,397p – 5 Lorris 2,203p – 8 Soissons 2,494p – 9 Lorris 1,615p 
Daughter of “295/20” Stuntman x “200/18” is dam of 1 Nat Argenton 13,988d (fastest of 25,544d)

Michel and Geert, heartfelt congratulations on this amazing result and your fantastic season from the entire HERBOTS TEAM.

Buelens Kim