Herbots | Van Mechelen Luc - Oud-Turnhout: 1st National Bourges 5,529 old birds

Oud-Turnhout: Two weeks ago we were also able to congratulate Luc and his brother Guy with the national Bourges victory and then we closed our report with the words “Luc and Guy enjoy your 3rd national victory and we think that number 4 is not so far away anymore” and look, we are 2 weekends further and we are again at the front door of the two brothers.

Two weeks ago it was their blue hen B23-6103492 who not only won in her category against 9,654 yearlings but she was also the fastest of all 16,367 Bourges racers.

So now another national win and again from Bourges. Thanks to the unique performance of geschelpt bonte duivin B21-6084596 we can celebrate again. This national winner was not the first to try her luck because her record of achievements already includes the following top performances

1st National Bourges 5,529 old - 8th fastest of 39,695b.
1st Sermaises 767b. - fastest of 7,385b.
1st Fay Aux Loges 209b. - 4th prov. 3,011b.
6th Melun 752b.
33rd National Bourges 24,006b.

Luc and Guy play, on the national races, preferably with hens. The loft was specially adapted so that the ladies do not have the possibility to mate with each other. All hens have a partner who stays at home and the ladies don't lack training spirit, especially when neighbors Van Oeckel and Broeckx also train their hens.

Luc is a poultry farmer by profession...and not a small one at that, because in his “free-range chicken farm”, 60,000 eggs are produced every day. Together with his brother Guy, Luc finds relaxation in pigeon sport and here too, with 75 racing hens, 35 widowers, 40 breeding couples and 150 youngsters, they have a nice colony. Everything is played here on classical widowhood, with partners staying at home. The breeders did winter breeding. The racing hens were paired on Wednesday mid-April and go to Noyon on Saturday. When they come home, the partner is removed from the loft and widowhood is a fact. Before the flight they always get to see their partner, after the flight they can stay together until the next day. Before the season, they are raced three times, 5-10- 20 km, and then they go into the basket for Quiévrain. From then on, it is only once a day training at home. The hens in the morning, the cocks when the work on the farm allows it.

No secrets in the care system... every day full feed and when they come home, they get a splash of Belgasol.