Batenburg-van de Merwe from Klaaswaal (NL)

9th national Bordeaux 3.235p in 2006

12^th national Bordeaux 7.409p in 2006

21^st international Bordeaux 5.710p in 2006

25^th – 33^rd – 81^st – 85^th national Perpignan 4.719p in 2006

1^st Champion International Fond NPO section 5 Zuid-Holland

By Johan Kempen

Klaaswaal

This town in the Netherlands is famous for the pigeon fancier that I visit today. Hugo Batenburg and his wife Anita van de Merwe started racing on this loft since the end of 1996 with some late-breds. They both have famous parents in pigeon racing. Hugo is the son of Bas Batenburg; Anita is the daughter of Piet van de Merwe. There results on the races from 800 till 1165 km have been outstanding since 1999: 2^nd national, 3^rd national, 10^th national, 11^th national, 13^th national….76 x top 100 on big national long distance races. The total results since 1999:

2e National Mont de Marsan 7.245 pigeons 2003

3e National Cahors 7.321 pigeons 1999

4th National St-Vincent 6.385 pigeons 2004

9^th National Bordeaux 3.235 pigeons in 2006

10e National Montauban 5.711 pigeons 2000

11e National St-Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999

12^th National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons in 2006

13e National St. Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000

13^th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons in 2005

14e National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000

15e National St-Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999

18e National St. Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000

20^th National Bergerac 13.001 pigeons 2005

20^th National Narbonne 2.992pigeons in 2005

21st National St-Vincent 6.385pigeons 2004

25e National Dax 5.617 pigeons 2002

25^th national Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005

25^th National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006

27e National Bergerac 14.284 pigeons 1999

30th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006

31st National Bordeaux 3.890 pigeons 2004

32nd National Bordeaux 3.890 pigeons 2004

33rd National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006

36e National Bordeaux 8.149 pigeons 2003

36th National Mont de Marsan 6.220 pigeons 2006

37e National Mont de Marsan 6.220 pigeons 2002

39th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006

41st National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005

42nd National Carcassonne 3.167 pigeons 2006

44e National Pau 2.493 pigeons 1999

46e National Perpignan 7.195 pigeons 2000

46th National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005

53rd National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006

54e National Bordeaux 4.748 pigeons 2001

55e National Perpignan 7.195 pigeons 2000

56e National Dax 5.617 pigeons 2002

58e National St-Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999

59th National Bordeaux 7.409 pigeons 2006

60e National Bergerac 12.870 pigeons 2001

61e National Montauban 5.711 pigeons 2000

61st National St-Vincent 5.909 pigeons 2004

64e National St. Vincent 7.999 pigeons 2000

65th National Bordeaux 3.235 pigeons 2006

68th National St-Vincent 6.621 pigeons 2005

69^th National Narbonne 2.563 pigeons 2006

71e National Bergerac 14.093 pigeons 2002

74th National Bergerac 14.429 pigeons 2006

75e National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000

75th National St-Vincent 6.829 pigeons 2006

77e National Montauban 4.882 pigeons 1999

77th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005

78th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005

79th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005

80e National Pau 2.758 pigeons 2000

80th National Bergerac 14.424 pigeons 2006

81st National Barcelona 7.491 pigeons 2005

81^st National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006

81^st National St-Vincent 6.829 pigeons 2006

82e National Barcelona 6.419 pigeons 1999

83rd National Perpignan 6.299 pigeons 2005

84e National Bergerac 12.870 pigeons 2001

85th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005

85th National Perpignan 4.719 pigeons 2006

86e National Barcelona 8.713 pigeons 2002

86e National Mont de Marsan 6.220 pigeons 2002

87e National St. Vincent 8.556 pigeons 1999

87th National Pau 2.413 pigeons 2006

88e National Dax 4.328 pigeons 2001

90th National Narbonne 2.992 pigeons 2005

91e National Cahors 7.321 pigeons 1999

93rd National Bergerac 12.152 pigeons 2004

97e National Dax 4.328 pigeons 2001

99e National Bergerac 11.953 pigeons 2000

100e National Perpignan 5.890 pigeons 2003

The married couple does not only race on very long distance. They own some exceptional birds for the long distance; mainly strain from the famous Piet van de Merwe (Dordrecht, NL) the father of Anita. I give you some results since Anita and Hugo started to race on their own(but they don’t specialize on this races since 2003):

Results on the long distance 100-600 km: 1999-2003

2e National NPO Orleans 18.379 p

2e National NPO Bourges 9.399 p

3e National NPO Chantilly 14.711 p

4e National NPO Orleans 11.525 p

4e National NPO Chantilly 14.711 p

5e National NPO Chantilly 22.789 p

6e National NPO Chantilly 20.322 p

8e National NPO Chantilly 22.789 p

8e National NPO La Ferte Bernard 7.802 p

8e National NPO Chantilly 12.108 p

9e National NPO Chantilly 12.108 p

And on some other races:

1e Interprov. Bourges 6.346 p North- en Zuid-Holland

3e Interprov. Bourges 4.594 p North- en Zuid-Holland

8e Interprov. Bourges 6.346 p North- en Zuid-Holland

9^e Interprov. Bourges 7.202 p North- en Zuid-Holland

10e Interprov. Bourges 7.202 duiven North- en South Holland

1e Houdeng 9.059 pigeons

1st Chantilly 6.542 pigeons

1st Chantilly 6.404 p

1st Bourges 5.445 p

1st Chantilly 4.876 p

1st Chantilly 4.806 p

1st Pont St. Max 4.070 p

1st Chantilly 3.179 p

1st Etampes 3.102 p

1 st Orleans 2.593 p

1e St.Ghislain 1.133 p

1e Niergnies 3.161 p

1 e Duffel 1.075 p

1e Strombeek 1.023 p

I think that I proved to you that Batenburg-van de Merwe is really the top of the bill of The Netherlands.

The story of the Batenburg family and the famous ‘Witbuik NL120/81’

Father Bas and son Hugo have been racing on the long distance for many years. I give you some results from 1990-1996:

Results Batenburg and son 1990-1996

1 e National San Sebastian

2e National Dax

3e National Perpignan

11 e National Marseille

11 e National Bordeaux YL

14e National St. Vincent

14e National Perpignan

16e National Marseille

16e National Perpignan

2Oe National Marseille

21 e National Montauban

22e National Pau

26e National Tarbes

26e National San Sebastian

28e National Montauban

3Oe National Barcelona

31e National Carcassonne

31 e National Perpignan

4Oe National Barcelona.

This results were the result of having bred one super bird: Witbuik NL81/1533120’. It all began in 1980. Hugo got the hen ‘NL72/221371’ from his grandfather. The father of this hen was ‘NL71-1011040’ (direct Bakker Barendrecht) and the mother was direct from Lazeroms. The hen got lost as a youngsters but grandfather got it back one year later. The hen was raced and became a famous race bird on the long distance. All fanciers in the area new this hen, she could win 1^st prizes! Hugo and Bas were glad with this gift and matched her by the end of the years with their best racer at that moment ‘NL78/322953’. This cock has won 11 times on the races 1000 km. The couple had only one youngster…. a beauty…NL81-1533120. This late-bred was raced with excellent results:

14^th national St-Vincent 16.629p

85^th national St-Vincent 22.188p

146^th national Dax 12.186p

300^th national St-Vincent 19.343p

The first youngster that they have bred from NL120/81’or ‘Witbuik’ was ‘Bonte Kweker NL1273760/85’. The mother was ‘NL1597133/84 (100% Jan Aarden). These two cocks are amongst the best breeders ever in The Netherlands (the same level as ‘De Dolle’ or ‘Het Oud Doffertje’ or ‘De Spin’ or ‘Zilvervosje’. ‘Bonte Kweker’ was matched for several years to ‘Lourdes-duivin’ and to ‘Braakhuis duivin’. Both were successful. What a basic cock:

The father of …

88/405: 16^th nat. Perpignan, 22^nd nat. Pau, 16^th nat. Marseille, 192^nd nat. St-Vincent

88/473: 60^th nat. Perpignan, 91^st nat. Pau, 119^th nat. Perpignan, 144^th nat. Pau, 150^th nat. Dax

88/196: 7^th nat. Pau, 21^st nat. Perpignan

92/509: 41^st nat. Perpignan, 50^th nat. Pau, 87^th nat. Pau

89/741: 73^rd nat. Bergerac

87/772:69^th nat. Dax

93/872: 1ste nat. Dax, 2^nd nat. Dax, 126^th nat. Bergerac

He is grandfather of…

1^st nat. Dax 12.979p, 10^th nat. Montauban 5.711p, 11^th nat. Marseille 2724p, 13^th intern. Tarbes 6.603p, 18^th nat. St-Vincent 7.999p, 8^th World champion Very Long distance Versele-Laga 1999…

The birds of Bas and Hugo Batenburg had very good results on other lofts, many fanciers had success with their birds. The birds can win easy.

Results with birds from Batenburg and son 1991-1996

1^st Internat. Barcelona Hens Felix Roosendaal

1^st Nat. Bergerac C. v.d. Linden 16.828 d. 1996

1^st Nat. Dax Felix Roosendaal 12.797 d. 1991

1^st Nat. Dax J.H. den Haan 3.662 d. 1996

2e Nat. Cahors Chr.v.d.Velden 7.747 d. 1995

2e Nat. Orleans Piet v.d. Merwe 8.635 d. 1994

3e Nat. Tarbes Chr. v.d. Velden 1.541 d. 1996

4e Nat. Bordeaux J. Slangen 3.003 d. 1992

4e Nat. St.Vincent C. Sneekers 8.993 d. 1996

5e Nat. Carcasonne Bert Saarloos 1.371 d. 1994

5e Nat. St.Vincent H. Wijnands en Zn. 19.876 d. 1996

6e Nat. Barcelona D. van Es 10.575 d. 1993

6e Nat. Cahors T. de Regt 7.747 d. 1995

6e Nat. Bergerac P. de Zeeuw 16.828 d. 1996

6e Nat. Montauban A. Pegels 5.108 d. 1996

7e Nat. Pau A.P. Overwater 6.413 d. 1991

8e Nat. Carcasonne Mevr. Sturris 1.371 d. 1994

8e Nat. Pau Bert Saarloos 2.425 d. 1994

9e Nat. Dax J. Westdijk 4.620 d. 1995

10e Nat. Bergerac R. Hijwege 19.697 d. 1993

The birds of Bas and Hugo were sold in a public auction in 1996. The success was immense. It was one of the best auctions ever. Hugo started racing on his own. He started the partnership with his wife Anita van de Merwe. They could start with youngsters from the summer 1996, all from the breeders and racers that were sold in the auction. And the married couple got some birds from the father of Anita, Piet van de Merwe, one of the best middle distance racers in The Netherlands for many years. Hugo and Anita started breeding in 1997 and the good results started in 1999. Many other fanciers had success with the birds Batenburg-van de Merwe:

Results won by birds from Batenburg-van de Merwe 2000-2005

2002 1st International Pau 7.867 duiven

Piere Verove (France) met 100% Batenburg bird

2003 1 e National Mont de Marsan 7.245 d.

Ad Fortuin Strijen met 75% Batenburg-v.d. Merwe bird

2003 1st National Bergerac 28.402 d.

I. Van 't Land Naarden met 25% Batenburg bird

2003 1 e National NPO Chantilly 13.953 d.

P. V.d. Merwe Dordrecht met 100% Batenburg-v.d. Merwe bird

2000 1 e National Montauban 7.281 d.

G .I. van Kooten Krimpen a/d IJssel met 50% Batenburg bird

2003 1 e National Bergerac 9.354 d.

5e National St. Vincent 6.212 d.

Candidate 1 e National Ace Pigeon 

A. Van Berkel Rotterdam with bird Witbuik

2001 1 e National Ace Pigeon

2e National St. Vincent 6.330 d.

5e National Mont de Marsan 3.902 d.

G.l. van Kooten Krimpen aid IJssel met 50% Batenburg bird

2003 2e Semi National Barcelona 3.915 d.

D. Van Es 's-Gravendeel met 50% Batenburg bird Witbuik)

2000 4eNationaal Perpignan 7.195 d.

9th International Perpignan 18.426 d. 

5e International hens 3.703 d.

2002 1st Vincent 1.319 d.

20e National St. Vincent 17.888 d.

A. Verhoeven Dinteloord met direct  (100%) Batenburg- v.d. Merwe Pigeon

1 e International Ace Pigeon Pau 1998-2002

J. Polder Middelharnis met 50% Batenburg-v.d. Merwe Pigeon Witbuik)

Rambo- Barcelona van Fons van Ophuizen from Landgraaf is one of the best Barcelona birds in Europe and is 50% Batenburg (from Son Bonte Kweker)

Roger Senicourt from Gravelines (Frankrijk) many good results with Batenburg-v.d. Merwe duiven.

J.P .van Nederpelt Klaaswaal with 100% Batenburg-v .d. Merwe bird

2003 4e National NPO Ruffec 10.000 d.

G. Van Aken Wijk at Duurstede with 50% Batenburg bird Witbuik

2004 1st National Barcelona 7875p Vrosch-Meijers has blood Batenburg

2004 1st International Pau hens 1544p Delrue  (France) has blood Batenburg

2004 1st National St-Vincent 6385p W. Schouten Strijen has blood Batenburg

20051e National St. Vincent Sector 2 blood Batenburg

Fasted pigeon of 32.149 p in race.

J. Polder Middelharnis

20051e National St.Vincent Sector 1 16.057 d. blood Batenburg

Louis Boden, Heerle

Main racers and  breeders in this loft Batenburg – van de Merwe

‘Son Bonte Kweker NL1862047/95

The father is ‘Bonte Kweker NL1273760/85’; he is a son of ‘De Witbuik NL1533120/81’ (basic cock NL78/953 from Bas en Hugo Batenburg x basic hen NL72/371 from Barendrecht x Lazeroms) X ‘Mother Bonte Kweker NL84/133’ strain Jan Aarden. The mother is ‘NL2612847/93’ (NL2130067/91 Son Ruffec  X Braakhuis duivin NL86/076). The father of ‘NL2130067/91’ is ‘Ruffec NL80/459’, halfbrother of ‘Witbuik’ and father of 3^rd nat. Perpignan.

‘Son Bonte Kweker’ is the father of 4^th provincial Marseille, 184^th nat. Marseille, 20^th nat. St-Vincent 17.888p,20^th national Bergerac, 53^rd national Bordeaux ’06, 112^th national Bergerac…

NL1449362/97 St-Vincent-cock

11^th nat. St-Vincent 8556p

Father of 86^th nat. Mont de Marsan

Father of 12^th national Bordeaux  in 2006

Father of 36^th national Mont de Marsan in 2006

Father of 61^st national St-Vincent in 2004

Father of 68^th national St-Vincent in 2005

Father of 75^th national St-Vincent in 2006

Halfbrother of 4^th nat. St-Vincent

26^th nat. Tarbes

46^th nat. Dax

62^nd nat. St-Vincent

75^th nat. Bergerac…

The father is ‘NL2181500/86’. He is direct from the Golden Pair of  Piet van de Merwe (Dordrecht); the strain Tournier. The mother is ‘NL2129020/91’, daughter of basic cock ‘De Witbuik NL120/81’ X ‘Braakhuis duivin NL076/86’. ‘St-Vincent-doffer’ became very important the last few years. Many good racers were bred from this cock.

NL1340153/94 son Witbuik

Father of 81^st national Perpignan  in 2006

Grandfather of 2^nd nat. Mont de Marsan 2003

The father is basic cock ‘De Witbuik NL120/81’ X ‘NL2905042/92’ (from Super 05, son ‘Bonte Kweker’ X NL 919/91). He is the last son of the famous ‘Witbuik’ and became basis cock on the loft Batenburg-van de Merwe.

Miss Bergerac NL1450565/97

13^th nat. St-Vincent 7999p in 2000

15^th nat. St-Vincent 8556p in 1999

14^th nat. Bergerac 11.953p in 2000

27^th nat. Bergerac 14.284p in 1999

583^rd nat. Bergerac 16.843p in 1998

She is one of the best hens that have ever raced on St-Vincent and Bergerac. See against how many birds!!!

The father is ‘NL2204414/96’ , Batenburg-van de Merwe. He is 100% Piet van de Merwe. The father is’NL2181500/86’, son golden pair and the mother is ‘NL5587122/95, Tournier x Janssen. The mother of ‘Miss Bergerac’ is ‘NL2204405/96’(from Super 05 X NL744/89 daughter ‘Lourdes’). She is a basic hen in the loft Batenburg-van de Merwe.

NL2204405/96

This basic hen is the mother of ‘Miss Bergerac’. The father is ‘NL1763405/88= Super 05’; He won 16^th nat. Perpignan, 16^th nat. Marseille, 22^nd nat. Pau, 192^nd nat. St-Vincent… He is a son of one of the best pairs: ‘Bonte Kweker’ X ‘Braakhuis duivin’. The mother is ‘NL1239744/89’, a daughter of NL228/86 (30^th nat. Barcelona, 80^th nat. Perpignan) X ‘Lourdes duivin’ (mother of 7-21-31-60-69-73-91-92-96 national).

NL1194255/98

2^nd prov. Cahors 5658p

3^rd nat. Cahors 7231p

1^st Pont St Max 4071p

59^th Bourges 4594p

3^rd Niergnies 418p

The father is ‘NL1919187/95’(Batenburg X van den Eynden). The mother is ‘NL1505326/97’ , direct from Chr. Van de Velden but strain Batenburg X van de Velde)

NL2112961/2000

1^st  Ace Pigeon long distance

25^th nat. Dax 5617p

121^st nat. Bordeaux 4856p

198^th nat. Perpignan 7083p

The father is ‘NL2204406/96’(Super 05 x 744/89), the mother is ‘NL2551367/98’ (from ‘404/92’ Piet van de Merwe  X NL029/93 De Wit brothers).

Guus NL1542254/2001

1st Ruffec 3108p

4th National Ruffec 9207p

The father  is ‘NL554/96’, direct from Guus van Aken (strain Wim Muller, Jan Aarden, M. van Geel). The mother is ‘NL120/94’. She is from ‘161/93’ (son ‘Witbuik’) X ‘776/85’ (Marseille hen)

Hightech NL1826188/2001

4th National St-Vincent 6334p in 2004 (1000 km)

36th National Bordeaux 8149p (850 km)

349th National Montauban 6781p (893 km)

377th National Dax 9405p (986 km)

He is now the sire of 39th national Bergerac 14.429 p in 2006

The father of this cock is ‘NL932/93 The Barcelona’ (strain Kees de Baat and father of 1st nat. Montauban, 1st Nat. Ace Pigeon, 2nd Nat. St-Vincent, 4th nat. St-Vincent, 5th nat. Mont de Marsan…). The mother is ‘NL914/94 De Bergerac’, strain Batenburg (line Ruffec and Witbuik)  but bred by Md. V d Meijden.

NL1542254/01 GUUS

4^th national Ruffec 9.207p at loft Guusvan Aken

Father of 42^nd national Carcassonne in 2006 at loft Batenburg

Father of 87^th national Pau 2413p

Hugo bought this cock at the loft Guus van Aken after 4^th national Ruffec. He was 50% blood Batenburg. The father is ‘NL224/96’ (Muller-Jan Aarden-M. van Geel) and the mother is ‘NL120/94’ (granddaughter Witbuik). ‘GUUS’ is a very good breeder.

Best pigeons in  2005/2006

NL 1647679/02 daughter of  ‘Miss Bergerac’

285^ste national Bergerac 12.125d

359^ste nat. Bordeaux 9277d

81^ste national Barcelona 2005

152^ste national Perpignan 2005

410th national Barcelona 2006

25th national Perpignan 4.719 p in 2006

The mother is the famous  ‘Miss Bergerac 454/97’ which I already mentioned. The sire is ‘NL415/01’ , direct from  C&D vd Graaf. It is a son of his  ‘Asduif 42’ (3^rd nat. Montauban, 4^th nat. Bordeaux, 8^th nat. Mont de Marsan, 20^th nat. Bergerac, 36^th nat. Montauban…)

NL1993153/04

20^th nationaal Bergerac 2005 against  13001 pigeons

119th national St-Vincent 6829 p in 2006

The sire  is ‘Zoon Bonte Kweker 047/95’ and the mother  is ‘NL462/96’, a daughter of  ‘NL500/86’ Piet van de Merwe X daughter ‘Witbuik’.

NL1075433/03

25^th national Perpignan 2005

148^th national Marseille 2005

The sire is ‘Son  Jong Koster’ X ‘NL466/97’ (C & d v d Graaf).

NL1075488/03

1^st provincial Narbonne (965 km)613p in  2005

2^nd national Narbonne DV

13^th national Narbonne 2992p

The sister won  1^st St-Gislain 14.380p, 1^st Orleans 6763p, 1st Pont-St Max 6488p, 1st Bourges 5445p…The sire  is ‘De Teletekst’ from  Verwaaijen brothers (2^nd nat/ La Ferte) and the mother is  ‘NL 701/98’ , 100% A. Scharlaekens.

NL1075481/03

2^nd provincial Narbonne 613p in  2005

20^th national Narbonne 2992p in  2005

The sire is ‘Son Miss Bergerac’’ (Miss Bergerac X ‘son  Jonge Koster 045/95) and mother  is ‘NL466/97’ , direct  C & D vd Graaf.

NL1075487/03

8^th provincial Narbonne 613p in 2005

77^th national Narbonne 2992p in 2005

She is 100% sister of 1st provincial Narbonne 2005, Verwaaijen x Scharlaekens.

NL1993155/04

30^th national Narbonne 2563p in 2006

65^th national Bordeaux 3235 p in 2006

He is from ‘NL833/02 Son St-Vincent cock’ (St-Vincent cock 362/97 x daughter Ruffec) and ‘NL658/98’ (daughter Mister Montauban x sister 05)

NL1993100/04 Grandson Witbuik

33^rd national Perpignan 4719p in 2006

The father is ‘NL161/93’ (direct son of Witbuik 120/81 X Perpignan hen) and the mother is ‘NL466/97’ (direct Cas van de Graaf)

NL107570/03 Granddaughter Witbuik

81^st national Perpignan 4719 p in 2006

304^th national Barcelona 6777 p in 2006

She is also from ‘NL161/93’ (direct son of Witbuik) X ‘daughter Montauban’ (C. v.d. Graaf X Batenburg)

NL1993034/04 Son St-Vincent-cock

75th national St-Vincent 6830 p in 2006

36^th national Mont de Marsan 3699p in 2006

It’s a son of basic cock ‘St-Vincent cock NL362/97’ X ‘NL405/96 daughter ’05’, a basic hen on this loft.

NL1993035/04

12^th national Bordeaux 2006

Again from basic cock ‘NL362/97’ x ‘NL 405/96’. This is a special breeding pair.

NL1993184/04

53^rd national Bordeaux 7409 p in 2006

108^th national Narbonne 2563 p in 2006

It is a sister of ‘NL 153/04’ (20^th national Bergerac 2005, 119^th nat. St-Vincent 2006)

Magical  race on Narbonne 2005 against  2992p: 13-20-77-78-79-85-90…

NL1075488/03

1^st provincial Narbonne (965 km)613p 2005

2^nd national Narbonne Hens

13^rd national Narbonne 2992d

The sister won  1^ste St-Gislain 14.380p, 1^ste Orleans 6763p, 1st Pont-St Max 6488p, 1st Bourges 5445p…The father is ‘De Teletekst’ of . Verwaaijen Brothers (2^nd nat/ La Ferte) and  the mother  is ‘NL 701/98’ , 100% A. Scharlaekens.

NL1075481/03

2^nd provincial Narbonne 613p 2005

20^ndnational Narbonne 2992p 2005

The father is ‘son  Miss Bergerac’’ (Miss Bergerac X son  Jonge Koster 045/95) and the mother is ‘NL466/97’ , direct C & D vd Graaf.

NL1075487/03

8^th provincial Narbonne 613d 2005

77^th national Narbonne 2992p in 2005

39^th national Narbonne 2563p in 2006

9^th national Narbonne Hens in 2006

She is 100% sister of the first  provincial Narbonne 2005, Verwaaijen x Scharlaekens.

Racing system

Hugo tells his system to me personal: ‘ I race about 70 pair , old and yearlings. These birds are race on double widowhood in the beginning of the racing season. The birds are matched so they can go to the first long distance race on nest position. This position can be different between 1 week breeding and babies  of 1 week old. Both hens and cocks do well on this different positions: p.e. Narbonne 2005:1^st pigeon 2005 was a hen on 2 days breeding; 2^nd pigeon was a cock on 14 days breeding; 3^rd pigeon was a hen on 14 days breeding; 4^th pigeon was a hen on babies of 5 days…The quality of the birds and the health is more important than the nest-position. The birds do not go on short races between a long distance race but I do toss them each week 40 km. The daily training is only once. All birds train together a 15.30. This is the time that I come home from work. My wife Anita feeds the birds in the morning. The get just enough mixture in the morning but plenty after the daily training .Than they also get some peanuts. My racers get the same mixture the whole year: Mariman and Versele Laga, but 50% barley. I match my racers by the end of February or beginning of March. The breeders are matched in December. The youngsters are only tossed and raced at the end of the season.

I give the racing pigeons a cure against trichomonas on the first nest and than each 3 weeks. When I have some doubts about the health of the birds, I call Dr. Henk De Weerd or my friend Piet Blancke who I met on my trip to China. I try to make racing pigeons easy so I make less mistakes. There are not many birds in one compartment and many aviaries so the birds get enough oxygen. I never let my birds fly out of the loft during the Winter. The birds of prey are always in the neighbourhood.’

Thanks Hugo for this talk. I hope to come back here next year.

Best results 2006

9eNationalBordeaux3.235 pigeons

12eNationalBordeaux7.409 pigeons

21eInternational   Bordeaux5.710 pigeons

25eNationalPerpignan4.719 pigeons

30eNationalNarbonne2.563 pigeons

33eNationalPerpignan4.719 pigeons

36eNationalMont de Marsan  3.699 pigeons

39eNationalNarbonne2.563 pigeons

39e  NationalBergerac14.429 pigeons

42e NationalCarcassonne3.167 pigeons

53eNationalBordeaux7.409 pigeons

59eNationalBordeaux7.409 pigeons

65eNationalBordeaux3.235 pigeons

69eNationalNarbonne2.563 pigeons

74eNationalBergerac14.429 pigeons

75eNationalSt.Vincent6.829 pigeons

80e NationalBergerac14.424 pigeons

81eNationalPerpignan4.719 pigeons

81e NationalSt.Vincent6.829 pigeons

85e NationalPerpignan4.719 pigeons

87eNationalPau2.413 pigeons

108e NationalNarbonne2.563 pigeons

112eNationalBergerac14.429 pigeons

119eNationalSt.Vincent6.829 pigeons

129eNationalBordeaux7.409 pigeons

132eNationalBordeaux7.409 pigeons

133eNationalBergerac 14.429 pigeons

Johan Kempen from Belgium