Putte/Grasheide: We are convinced that Rudy pinched himself a few times in his arm to be sure he wasn’t dreaming. Rudy already has 4 provincial victories on his palmaris, but a national victory outdoes everything. The phone is ringing non-stop and writers and pigeon brokers are continuously pulling his arm to get all the information. The always quiet and retired mason hasn’t got a spare minute of time to enjoy this unique result. Important detail…next to his national victory the rest of the team did extremely well as well. Enjoy:

Nat. Chateauroux 24,617 old: 40-52-83 and so on… (12/13)
Nat. Chateauroux 22,196 yb: 1-38-41 and so on..(13/15)

Most of the attention went to the winning hen “Het 38”. “Het 38” is an average build blue hen that is part of a 18-headed racing team that is being raced on total widowhood. Clocked 13h 59min 19sec. for a distance of 514,382km she had an average speed of 1272,23 m/m and left all other Chateauroux racers behind. 
Before the “Het 38” already won:

    2        Noyon                                   643b.
    5        Quievrain                              206b.
    8        Noyon                                   553b.
  15        Quievrain                              254b.
  15        Sermaises                             397b.
  79        Nat (z) Chateauroux       3,333b.
242        Fays-Aux-Loges                2,805b.

System

The pigeons that are being raced on total widowhood had a winter breeding. During Spring they all got together once more and could breed for a few more days. Once the weather allowed it the training basket came into the picture and it went via the short distance races to the middle distance to the nationals. At basketing the sexes can come together for one hour, are being separated, are being fed and are being basketed after one hour quietly. At arrival they stay together for about 2 hours. Feeding has no secrets over here, until Tuesday it is 50% Diet and 50% Sport and after that 100% Sport. The pigeons can always eat as much as they can. In a medical way the pigeons are being cleared from trichomoniases before the start of the season and at basketing and at arrival they get a yellow drop in the beak. Vitamins at the end of the week and at regular base an eye drop. This is it. 
Selection is the base of success and in Putte the best old pigeons move yearly to the breeding loft. Their spot is being taken by a fresh team of yearling pigeons.
The lofts are very fresh and spacious. Every detail is being looked at with the necessary attention and these efforts are now being rewarded with a national victory. 

A big congratulation from the entire Herbots team

Distance: 514km

Velocity: 1272.23 m/m

B20-6215938: 1st Nat. Chateauroux - fastest 46,824b.

Pedigree

Lofts

Stefan Mertens