They succeeded, after winning 2 x 2nd national this season the "head is off" and "Queen Bourges" took care of the first national win ever.  "Queen Bourges" (B24-6181545) not only won in her category but was also the fastest of all 39,695 Bourges racers. 

No wonder that both Marleen and Jan had broad smiles on their faces when we congratulated them on their national victory.  This tastes like more ! Everyone wished them this with all their hearts. The champagne corks popped in the clear blue sky. 

90km on basketing day

We already talked about the system of the yearling and old birds in previous reports. Now we will talk about the youngsters. We wrote this down for you:

• - Every year we bred about 300 youngsters for our own use. These were darkened from 17h to 8h in the morning from the beginning of March until the end of June. They are currently being lighted and will be so until the end of the season. 
• - The sexes have remained together for a very long time. Jan told us that since a good 14 days they are on the sliding door system.
• - On the day of basketing Bourges, we even drove to Ittre. Birding flight just under 100km. Express we waited until 11h to release the pigeons - in 4 different groups. We necessarily wanted them to fly in the heat. Whether there was a difference in flight times between the 4 groups? Well the fastest took 59 minutes, the slowest 60 minutes. When we saw that, we could do nothing but conclude that the condition was there.
• Upon returning home, there were motivation boxes on the lofts and the sexes were allowed to stay together. 
• - Just like the old and yearlings, the youngsters also get the mixtures from the Beyers range. Always full tank, at the beginning of the week low in protein (Vandenabeele mixture), from Wednesday onwards, this is enriched with 50% Energy mixture and the last days it is even 100% Energy. 
• - The medical advice of Raf Herbots is followed. The youngsters have had all the necessary vaccinations (Rota, Paramyxo and parathyphus). During the season, all the youngsters get a "4 in 1" tablet rammed down their throats once a month and a weekly "dash" of yellow drops goes over the feed to avoid tricho. 

Next winter season we guarantee it will report more extensively on their system. For Niels, Marleen and Jan, it's now time to enjoy this unique Bourges victory and with all the celebrations, the motivation to go for it during the next races has certainly not gone away. 

"Queen Bourges"
B24-6181545
1st National Bourges 26,549 youngbirds - fastest of 39,695b.

Distance: 530km
Velocity: 1,403 m/m

Stefan Mertens