Family Herbots – HALLE Booienhoven
Duivensport is aliquis in omnibus ...nullus in singulus

(know something of everything, but nothing right master)

Halle Booienhoven: Here I am … at the entrance to the Dungelstraat No. 37 … before I press the push button, I've quickly checked whether I look not too sloppy.

I interview champions of this caliber every day and I of course wish to make a good first impression. But I notice that my sweaty hands are unnecessary… I was visiting family Herbots, with an emphasis on family!
When I'm standing in the entrance area is my first impression is that there are two worlds in a building. You look to the left, you can see the Office area of the Herbots company. Here, the trade in pigeons and by-products (Herbots animal products) is in full swing. Fixed-line and mobile phones ring in familiar tones for different employees. You go to the right to get in the quieter part of the beautiful building, reserved for visitors. The moulting season is largely over and the time of the winter breeding has not yet begun, so it's easy for a reporter to get a little more time. For me are Jo Filip, and rental Herbots as conversation partners available and I can put my questionnaire on the table.

Are you satisfied with the results of the 2015 season?

Filip: “Yes, very happy … and I'll immediately say why. At the end of last season we did some very good pigeons on the breeding loft. These were a national winner and two Olympiad pigeons. I had no idea whether the new Favorites will fill in the blanks and now we can say … they have done it. At this point a “chapeau” at our blow nurse Geoffrey, who was supported by his assistant, Bjorn and Maarten perfectly. ”

Should you not start a season with the best minds?

Jo: “Usually Yes … but one should strengthen whatever the breeding loft. Our four Topper have an honours list that is several pages long. Several flight seasons have denied them a year from 17 to 18 flights. You have nothing to prove more flights and because we believe that “the good from the good” We brought this with great pleasure on the breeding loft.

How big was the travel team in the year 2015?

Rental: “As you know, our old and yearling birds fly to the system of the total widower. Who knows this system, that this automatically leads to an extensive travel team. We open the doors of our travel shock look 150 heads in our direction. 65 male and the rest are females.

I know that of against your “Doves strategy” is, but are you for or against the introduction of a price list where only the first 10 used pigeons per grower are price right?

Jo: “We consider it positive that such an evaluation will be made. However, a condition … you shouldn't spoil the fun such lovers, who likes to play with many pigeons. Another question is whether it is however good that there will be any two official price lists.

I know the reactions of “smaller breeders”, which incensed about it, that the 1st prize remains are denied them because breeders X used pigeon carries the victory with his 56ten home. I can not judge other shots, but we can the 56. 4. nominated Dove? For us, only the three first-winning pigeons used separately in a basket. For all others, the order is then randomly.

Rental: “The pigeon sport has changed considerably in recent years, but the structure around the pigeon game has grown more slowly. You can ask the following questions as lovers: want provincial boundaries continue to exist, it would be better to define lower as wider zones etc … There is still much work to do at the KBDB. One thing that we should not lose sight of the eyes is the fact that every breeder want to see his name at the top in the price list. Therefore, we do not advocate to inspire, to abolish all doubling. Suppose a breeder is not so cheap, in a competition it can be still, that he can be very happy in the local doubling.

Tell me more the supply of old and yearling birds?

Filip and impact Advisor Geoffrey speak together: “All pigeons be mated on December 6, when Santa Claus makes thousands of children happy. Both the breeders and racers make a winter breeding. Before the racing hens lay a second time they are separated. A young animal remains at the bird and the other goes with the females in the hatchling shot. There is not a second coupling before the trip.

During the season, the males and females are played as much as possible. The large national medium-haul flights are in the focus. Who must provide good services, which must be well supplied. While we look not at one gram more or less. During the flying season is back 100% Koopman mixture by Beyers on the menu. On Sunday, it is then 50% Koopman and 50% low protein Vandenabeele mixture. On Monday, there are 100% Vandenabeele mix. On Tuesday something is fed again with 50% Koopman and 50% Vandenabeele mix harder. On Wednesday and Thursday usage day the deaf 50% get Koopman and 50% brilliant in the feeding trough. Always enriched with shelled sunflower seeds and hemp seeds.

Medically, we use the professional advice of RAF. Every three weeks, he comes regularly to check and if necessary, more often. The racers dribble host very much. We do this on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and all the pigeons get an eye drops in each eye. These drops are given on the advice of RAF. On the day of the pigeons get a “Yellow drops” in the throat. This system will be strictly adhered to in the medium-haul flights.

When I look at the racing lofts, so I see everywhere large aviaries before the strikes and inside heating plates hang in every compartment of ATX.

Jo: Yes … It is coincidence or not, but since we have made these two installations are the services of our pigeons steeply upwards. The heating platens are also set at a temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 70%. From April until the last flight they are switched on.
We have the Aviary recommend installed by Gommaire Verbruggen. The racing hens are locked out after they and the males have trained and eaten, for the rest of the day. The males can only on Monday in the Aviary. You can then – If they want - take a bath. On the other days remain travel birds in the strike. The window remain open however. Because all of our shots have a gear, the males in the aviary, but only the fresh air can enjoy.

Is it true, you drive very much with the pigeons?

Rental: “No, this is not so … This trend has passed us by. We focus on the game with the old and yearling birds and doing regular private practice does not play the decisive role. If you want to be successful with the youngsters then you have to drive much. Look at the system of RAF and Kobe… the tire dealer has good customers with them.

But a lie would be to say we didn't go with the old and yearling birds. When the weather allows we bring the birds and the females on Wednesday at 30 km. The females are first released and soon after the birds. Males and females for 2 hours stay at home together. Then they are separated. On the day – a day later – may the females only in the corridor of the male shock. After a few minutes, the females are eingekorbt and immediately after the males.

How many Do you keep youngsters for their own use?

Philip: “For our own shock, we breed about 250 young pigeons. We have many losses at the youngsters each year. We make every effort to keep the losses within limits and therefore play not all national flights. We play only with 40 youngsters on national flights, to deal carefully with the youngsters.
The early boys are played by the sliding door method. Young pigeons, which were discontinued in April and may remain only on their response. No young pigeons are sold from May. You should already be able to molt in the year of birth.

We are talking about breeding… with the “Yvan” you sit your a super breeder on the beat. If I'm not mistaken he's 2007 vintage. How do you consolidate its qualities in the coming decades?

Jo: “Good question … I think there is only a possibility, and it is to breed as much as possible within the family. Some youngsters are played, others are intended for breeding. The last two years we have little boy from the “Yvan” sold. Children and grandchildren have more than proved that they can fly in the top of the price lists and for this reason, we want more than enough from the “Yvan family” have on the beat

We used to have with the “155” and the “Number 1” two top breeders in our blow. But suddenly, the song is sung and we had to have enough children of them on our beat the problem. Now, we want to avoid this scenario.

As in the previous years put on a wonderful book you, where all top breeding pigeons are shown. A book which will be distributed at fairs and displayed on your Web page. Can you name the top 5 transfer of the year 2015?

Jo: “We have invested this year again in the best, flew through the airspace. ACEs such as “New Belgian pride” are a real gain. “New Belgian pride” (B14-3027025) flew the 3rd International Agen (799 km) against 4,485 pigeons. He was played by Marc and Geert Pollin and not only defeated 5.890 year old national to Libourne (753km) but was also the fastest against 10.910 pigeons. He also became 1. National AS pigeon yearlings Grote KBDB 2015 Fund! I've seen together rarely as much class in a pigeon!

Impressive is also the performance of the “King of Sprint” (B14-2065003). “King of Sprint” in the year 2015 1 national As pigeon KBDB Snelheid, with a historically low coefficient of 0.99% above six flights. A small detail of the “King of Sprint” on the edge is that he already in the year 2014 also 12 national AS pigeon Snelheid KBDB was for the youngsters. Pure speed.

The successful breeding lines of Stoces we find in the family tree of “Phenomenal Chateauroux” (B14-2197422), Winner of the 1st National Chateauroux and also fastest against 29.746 pigeons! The perfect complement for our breeding loft!

With the female “Barcelona dream” (B13-3065806 – 2nd National Barcelona 2015 against 7,791 pigeons) and the bird “Golden Barcelona” (B13-6130188 – 3. National Barcelona 2015 against 7,791 pigeons and Golden wing Winner Barcelona Club Bruges) can we present a new Golden Barcelona pair. “Give up” is really not in the genes of this young Barcelona winner.

The wide cross-country flights from the Rhone Valley (FR) are flown under harsh conditions. A little more staying power is demanded from the heroes of these flights, and they show a little more character to dominate these flights. With “Rhône beauty” (B11-9109970) We have probably the best Rhône Valley flyer sit on our breeding loft. “Rhône beauty” was 1 national AS pigeon Rhone Valley in the year 2015 and 4. National AS pigeon Rhône Valley in 2014!

We could also about “Blue Soontjens” (11 x 1.) report. “SuperYearling”, “Young Olympic Buda” and “Sky” … but for this we refer to our catalog.

You're top breeders … It learns yet?

(Almost all three in the chorus): “Of course … When we visit other breeders we keep our eyes and ears. Pigeon sport is sport and every detail can play an important role in professional sports. It's about the percentage to be better than the competitors.
We can still learn even on the own beat. What said Johan Cruyff: “every disadvantage has its advantages” … There was a bad flight times and our birds came very sparse home. The result was that some birds and females were long time without a partner, and after a while, they began to look for other partners. Then a week later, when most couples were together again, there were many brawls. The motivation has been increased without at first realizing it … right Cruyff! ”

If your Pigeons selected… on which respects you?

“The first selection meets the travel basket …” No one can see in the "head". After that, our idea of beauty a dove plays a role. Never select a criterion … But if you must ask ourselves a good pigeon thick and soft feathers, the balance should be perfect and if you look in the eyes, they must “Breathe fire”.

Sometimes a pigeon must be also grown … once be blossomed. It would be the first time that a young pigeon back SAGs and the pool is open. As soon as they are during the year but everything must fit perfectly.”

Filip … one last question … If you are in a room locked with three other breeders during one day be'd have and talk about pigeons should, with whom you wanted to be locked up?

(He thinks a while ..) "Gommaire Verbruggen, Gaby Vandenabeele and Leo Heremans."

Filip, rental en Jo ... thanks for the time and much success!