Maarten De Boe (Schendelbeke): 1st and 2nd Prov. Marseille (East-Flanders)

Last year, international pigeon fanciers met Maarten De Boe (Schendelbeke). Maarten was the proud breeder and player of "Little Sonja", KBDB's first national long-distance pigeon ace. A milestone in the pigeon racing career of this ambitious Maarten. 

After an exceptional season, it was with a few 'shaky legs' that everyone began the following season, and for Maarten, it was a question of observing the pigeons to see if they would perform at the same or an equivalent level. A few months later, we can answer this question in the affirmative, because the De Boe colony has once again shown itself to be at its best. 

The same was true of Marseille last weekend. Maarten: "Marseille was raced in leaden conditions. The start was at 6.45 am for a distance of 843 km and temperatures were well over 30 degrees at midday. I probably shouldn't draw a picture, but when, as a pigeon fancier, you register a pigeon late at night, it's more than just a goosebump-inducing moment.

"Marseillo" (B22-4116591) finished the job with flying colours, winning 1st Provincial East Flanders and 4th National. I can assure you that that very evening, as a pigeon fancier, you will go back to your loft several times to admire your Marseillo winner".

Noted for you:

1. The 2024 season was started with 45 old and 60 yearling pigeons
2. From the first Quievrain flight (late March) to the first national flight (Bourges national), all pigeons go into the basket weekly. The first flights they hatch but after 5 days of incubation the eggs are removed and they do their first widowhood flights. The weather is not really looked at.
3. The reason for this specific approach is that the pigeons have to make kilometres because between Bourges national and their first marathon assignment they will have difficulty finishing a speed race because they have to be brought into the ideal nesting position.
4. Compulsory training is important. If the group is big enough, the "sky dancer" is used to keep the pigeons in the air and they have to train at home for about 1h30. If the group is too small then the pigeons are driven. This way Maarten takes them from all directions just like "The Tour of Belgium".
5. Not the weekend before basketing but the 2nd weekend before basketing of a marathon flight the pigeons fly another 150km flight. This is usually Noyon.
6. In terms of food, the Plus IC mixtures from Versele-Laga are on the menu and in terms of by-products the care schedule from Röhnfried is followed.
7. Whether there is an ideal nesting position for Marathon pigeons? Maybe for cocks 10 days of incubation and for hens a small young. For example, "Marseillo" was basketed at 10 days' incubation.
8. The Marseille winner's future will be in the breeding loft. He might be the ideal partner for 1st National ace KBDB marathon "Little Sonja".

Click here to read the more extensive report 2023 on Maarten De Boe's national ace pigeon title

The whole Herbots team wishes Maarten lots of success

Stefan Mertens