Nechelput-Cornet - Kester: 4° Nat. Champion KBDB ! 1° Prov. Champion old KBDB - 2 x 1st Prov. Ace KBDB VLAAMS BRABANT !

Kester . Is a borough of Gooik , Kester overlaps an area of 11.17 M2 kilometres but is not at all densely populated , it has barely 1798 inhabitants . Apart from the fact that it is of Roman origin because this seems to be supported by recent excavations, there are few places of interest . Traces of a Roman Vicus (hamlet) have been found in Kester. A stone's throw from the home of Pajottenland's most famous resident, Urbanus, is Kester's Kesterberg, 112 metres high. This is the highest point in the Pajottenland region. I don't know if Kester has Holy ground, but the fact is that the Chapel of Our Lady of Bavaria is not too far from our host's door !

THE BEL !
This time it is An the wife of our host Kristof who lets me in and the meeting is, as usual, cordial. The Christmas tree adorns the living room , we are still in the Christmas period and ideal for a report . So much has already been written about the heroic speed of Flemish Brabant. A colony that in recent years has risen from provincial violence to the national top ! The last time I was there ( LCB) was at the end of 2017,they won 52 first prizes from Quievrain to Noyon then !

BACK IN TIME !
We write 2008 the year that Kristof and An buy a piece of land in Kester , the Molenstraat becomes their new home with at the back, of course a little pigeon loft. A fairytale set in motion by super talented speed pigeons. One first prize after another is a fact , the Quievrain race is dominated there . In 2012 that other great master of speed Frans Cornet is hospitalised and Kristof starts taking care of the pigeons. A close friendship develops and soon plans are made to play together. In 2013, the first loft lines were submitted and the rest is history , the name Nechelput-Cornet was born. The supermanship of the pigeons of Frans Cornet at Herne was of a rarely seen level !
The same could be said of Kristof , so it could not but succeed . The breeding pigeons were brought together . Frans did it with types from Herbots, Surinx Hilaire,Fabienne Peters,Bottu,Santens, Engels and Daems. Without doubt also a super cock from Thiery Defrene Onoz who wrote the 1° Interprovincial from Chateauroux on his record of achievements. He would later play an important role in the strain building of the colony! While those of Kristof listened to names like Geert Van Roy "the 606/14"a super with nothing but top prizes on his palmares and soon turned out to be a gracious breeder . Van Den Abbeel-Van Paesschen would more than contribute to the exploits of the Nechelput-Cornet colony !

A BIT OF LUCK !
In 2013 Patrick Van Den Abbeel bought a voucher from Kristof it was a donation from the 2° round but Patrick proposed to get a young pigeon from the first round. In exchange he would also bring a young pigeon from the first round to Kristof. That very young bird would later become Kristof's mother of 10 different first prize winners ! Since then Patrick and Kristof became good friends and every year youngsters are exchanged.

DOUBLE WIDOWHOOD !

In Kester they play with 20 couples on double widowhood with some hens and cocks that are not played and the hens and cocks that are not played are the partners of the best pigeons. Kristof and Frans play it safe so the best cocks and hens are always sure that their other half is waiting for them at home. The racers are paired so that they come together with the youngsters from the second round of breeding. We make sure that the hens do not lay a second time, which is why they are separated in time. As soon as the weather improves, they are released into the open world for 45 minutes. Also during the racing season they are let out in the evening, first the cocks and then the hens. They keep a close eye on the weather and when a longer period of good weather is forecast, the racers are left together for about four days and the baskets are removed from under the dust.
Bringing away the pigeons can go up to twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon . They were not driven further than 23 km from there they are basketed for Quievrain (50 KM) before going to Noyon (155 KM).  Both sexes have an aviary where they can stay for a long time. Every week they can enjoy a bath and before basketing they do not come together. Before basketing, the cocks receive a nesting dish in the box, the hens are basketed from their loft. Coming home from a race at the beginning of the season, they don't stay together for too long as the season progresses.

REMARKS !
During the week, cocks are left outside in their loft. The hens are housed in the loft next to it, there is a small corridor between both lofts and they too go in on their own loft. Only when they come home from a race, both sexes enter the same loft, the loft where the cocks are and where they bred.

WHAT'S ON THE PLATE !
Many roads lead to Rome, but Kristof and Frans go their own way when it comes to food. They put their trust in the Versele mixtures. So on Sunday or Saturday when they return home, Gerry Plus IC + Champion IC is on the menu while Balgasol is mixed in the drinking water. On Monday it's 100% Purification mixed with Zell Oxygen and Optimix . Tuesday and Wednesday they get Purification in the morning and Gerry Plus IC in the evening each time with Backs intestinal condioner and Herbo Elite over the feed . On Thursday morning Gerry Plus IC and in the evening Champion IC , vitamins are added to the drinking water . On Friday it is 100% Champion IC and in warm weather Belgasol is added to the drinking water. On basketing day they get some super diet and candy mixture in the morning. Grit and Vitamineral are always available.

YOUNG PIGEONS !
The youngsters are weaned at the age of 25 days and all come to one loft and get full breeding mix. The youngsters are darkened from mid-March to 21 June. The darkening starts at 16.30 and when it is dark the darkening is given up so that the youngsters wake up with the morning sun. Youngsters are left outside each morning before Kristof leaves for work. Learning them up is done in small steps and they too are taken no further than 23 km. Once the youngsters are in the game, they are fed like the old racers. The youngsters also have an aviary where they can stay during the day. A weekly bath is at their disposal .During the season they are taken away once , a task that father Ernest takes care of and for which Kristof is grateful to his Dad. After the third flight, the sliding door is introduced and they are played on half widowhood . During the week, the boxes are half-bucket and before basketing, the boxes are fully opened and a nesting dish is inserted. There is no use of cardboard boxes or the like , they come together for about twenty minutes and are then basketed . Only the last two races we put some straw on the lofts. Playing with the youngsters has no priority but this does not mean that they do not have to perform. Only 1 round of youngsters was weaned just like last year , the second round . One 60 units is enough to put the competition to shame . 2023 was an exceptional year with the youngsters , while many fanciers lost many youngsters, this was not the case in Kester. Only 3 youngsters were lost and that can safely be called unique ! Once the youngsters came out well and took wing, they stayed together. Even when they started to "pull" they always came home together. When the on leather basket was retrieved, they came home in full group and this up to 23 km ! Under normal circumstances they would go from there to Quievrain (50 km) but because of the heat in June they waited. So one early morning they were brought away once to 28 km but this time it was "shivering". , after 1.45 h only the first young came home the rest came home in smaller groups after another hour of waiting. The following Wednesday they were basketed for the first time for Quievrain but that too became "sky watching" at first. Due to a mistake of the accompanying person, they were released together with East Flanders and Antwerp . Many fanciers lost a lot of youngsters that day while in Kester on the lofts of Kristof and Frans the losses were limited to 1 youngster. Later in the season those same youngsters would play the opposition from the cupboard to the proverbial wall ! Watch their phenomenal results later on !

MEDICAL PICTURE !
The man of science is Bjorn Geeroms from Roosdaal. He is consulted twice a year, once for the culture and another time before the racing season. Before the racing season starts, the pigeons are treated against Tricho for five days. On Sunday evening, the racers receive a yellow drop in their beaks. The respiratory tract was treated for five days with Soludox. Paramixo vaccination is obligatory for old, breeders and youngsters. Vaccinating against smallpox is done with a brush for both old racers and youngsters. On Friday evening we drip Linco-Spectin drops (Bjorn Geeroms) and the youngsters regularly get some apple vinegar in the drinking bowl. Should there still be a problem, we consult Bjorn Geeroms and his advice is followed.

GOOD GARDEN LOFTS !
You won't find a lot of lofts in Kester, on the contrary. The old birds have a loft of 6 M. The youngsters have 4 M while the breeders have 2 M. The lofts are not provided with insulation but they do have a saddle roof, they stand on a sloping surface with 20 CM on one side and 80 CM from the ground on the other side. Ventilation is provided at the front under the first roof tile. In the loft there is a ventilation strip of 80 CM above the pigeons at the front. No grids on the floor and under the bottom trough there is a sloping plate with a slit so that plumes and dust end up under the troughs. Once a year there is a big clean and the leaf blower is brought upstairs. During the playing season the lofts are cleaned twice a day , in the quiet season once a day.

TOP QUOTATIONS AT THE VERY HIGHEST KBDB!

1° NAT KAMPIOEN KBDB SNELHEID OUDE EN JAARSE 2020 !
2° NAT KAMPIOEN KBDB SNELHEID OUDE EN JAARSE 2022 !
2° NAT ASD KBDB SNELHEID OUDE (ERNEST) 2020 !
4° NAT KAMPIOEN KBDB SNELHEID OUDE EN JAARSE 2023 !
6° NAT ASD KBDB SNELHEID JAARSE 2020 (145/19 KLK MILAN) !
7° NAT ASD KBDB SNELHEID OUDE 2023 (JULES 934/21) !
15° NAT ASD KBDB SNELHEID OUDE (ERNESTA 937/21 2023 !
19° NAT KAMPIOEN KBDB SNELHEID OUDE EN JAARSE 2021 !
23° NAT ASD KBDB SNELHEID JAARSE ( 377/22 KLK ERNEST/MILAN) 2023!

PROVINCIALE TOPNOTERINGEN 2023 !
It is getting to be a habit to see the "heroes" from Kester on the highest podium
We will limit ourselves to 2023 !

1° PROV ASD GROTE SNELHEID OUDE (ERNESTA 937/21) !
1° PROV ASD GROTE SNELHEID OUDE .E.V. (JULES 934/21 ) !
1° PROV KAMPIOEN GROTE SNELHEID OUDE !
3° PROV KAMPIOEN  GROTE SNELHEID JAARSE !
3° PROV ASD GROTE SNELHEID JAARSE (377/22 KLK ERNEST) !

"ERNEST" 2119062/18

He became 1°Provincial Ace Pigeon, 2° National Ace Pigeon KBDB old speed in 2020. He had a big share in winning 1° National Champion KBDB 2020 with 4 prizes ! On his last 13 basketing he won no less than 8 X per 50 and 1 X per 20 and 5 X 1° ! His complete palmares therefore speaks volumes .At the end of 2020 he was put on breeding . In his earlier career he won Noyon 1°/245 D.Quievrain 1°/233 D.1°/73 D.1°/70 D.1°/68 D.Etampes 2°/157 D (1Sec after loftmate) Quievrain 2°/184 .He himself is (grand) father of following toppers like "377/22" with on his palmares each time from Noyon 1°/241D.1°/186 D.2°/1085 D.2°/524 D.3°/765 D.3°/628 D.8°/3270 D.8°/3002 D.11°/1382 D. "THE 400/22" . 1°/1408 D.1°/1358 D.3°/1595 D. "THE 041/23" . 1°/1265 D.2°/267 D.2°/163 D.8°/318 D.10°/918 D. "THE 3000/21" .2°/147 D.3°/435 D.4°/1256 D.8°/2842 D.16°/1216 D. "THE 903/21" .1°/271 D.3°/415 D.(5°/2186).3°/327 D.5°/145 D. "THE 407/22".2°/1155 D.13 °/1790 D.15°/1578 D.16°/1233 D.36°/1358 D. "DE 327/22" 1°/119 D.5°/161 D.23°/2793 D.46°/2543 D.61°/3082 D. "DE 747/23" won at Patrick and Rony Van Den Abbeel-Peleman 14°/4217 D. Prov Argenton .34°/4216 Pro Bourges ! "DE 728/21" won at Appelmans Gebroeders 53°/5720 JL Nat Chateauroux. From Noyon 2°/181 D.6°/178 D. "DE 654/21" 7°/4913 Zone Bourges.1°/2118 Chateauroux Noyon 2°/298 D also at Appelmans Gebr.

"ERNESTA" 937/21

"DEN 194/17"
Became 3° Provincial Ace Pigeon Speed 2018

"DE 034/18"
She won no less than a cartload of top prizes and 5 X 1° !

"DE 871/18"
This one wins no less than 6 X 1° with Frans as a yearling !

"DE 923/21" Co-won the 2° National Championship KDB 2022 !
 

But also grand and great-grandchildren are doing brilliantly so is

"DE 406/22" won 1°/3082 . 2°/3000.2°/1233 from Noyon and this each time after a loftmate !

"DE 919/21" 7° Provincial Ace Pigeon 2022; and co-winner 2° National Championship kbdb 2022 !

"THE 373/21" 1°/3000.1°/1068.7°/2543 !!!
Not only in Kester does the Ernest strain prove itself , also in Buggenhout with Van Den Abbeel-Peleman they fly in the lead. A daughter out of sister "Ernest" classified herself as 19° Ace Pigeon Allround with e.g. 68° Nat.Chateauroux 13852 b. 20° Prov; Orleans 5949 b.66° Prov.Bourges 4216 b.and 67° Prov. Orleans 3220 b.A grandchild out of brother of "Ernest" classified herself as 2° Provincial Ace Pigeon Middle Distance East-Flanders ! Talk about a "super" breeding pair !
A second pillar that provides the breeding loft with a solid foundation are the pigeons from Patrick Van Den Abbeel - Van Paesschen (now Van Den Abbeel-Peleman). Every year, pigeons from both lofts move to both lofts ! Thus, the parents of that other super flyer "DE JULES" come from Patrick.

"JULES"

That this klepper knew its way home is proven by the following figures. Without doubles each time from Noyon 1°/2543 D.1°/1795 D.1°/1720 D.1°/1505 D.1°/441 D. 1°/401 D.1°/346 D.1°/276 D(23°/1605 D) . 1°/261 D. These are only his victories !

DEATH !

Kristof's drive and talent is like spice and pepper on a delicious dish, he is down-to-earth in his dealings . He does not get involved with a mass of pigeons like there are too many nowadays and sees it more as commerce. No he wants to perform with his "beasts", the top and only play the top is like a "scourge" for his competitors . He guards his breeding loft like a "watchdog", which houses only 14 couples but no less than 3 National and 6 Provincial Ace Pigeons. Despite that, a breeder gets 2 years to prove himself, the rest he points to the "rubbish basket". Kristof and Frans are no great "clarion callers" but together they keep their four feet on the ground. By playing double widowhood with 20 couples and breeding a round of youngsters, they learn to know their qualities as a racing and breeding pigeon. One has to keep less pigeons and bad hens are easily eliminated.

NAILS WITH HARD HEADS !

Always from Noyon. Old pigeons.

3082 d.1°,4°,14°,17°,19°,22°,31°,32°,47°,61°,73°....(16/17)
2543 d.1°,3°,4°,7°,12°,13°,23°,24°,37°,39°,40°,46°,61°,72°,78°....(16/17)
1795 d.1°,3°,4°,10°,11°,16°,18°,20°,21°,23°,26°,31°....(13/15)
1720 d.1°,2°,6°,13°,41°,58°,74°,81°,83°.....(13/13)
1408 d;1°,7°,11°,12°,17°,19°,24°,28°....(14/14)
1085 d.2°,3°,4°,5°,15°,16°,21°,26°........(12/13)
940 d;1°,4°,12°,17°,18°,30°........(17/20)
693 d.1°,2°,5°,7°,22°,27°,39°.....(18/21)
628 d.3°,7°,23°....(3/4)
636 d. 1°,4°,11°,14°,17°,24°....(11/13)
560 d.2°,3°,4°,14°,18°,19°,20° …..(18/19)

Young birds !
460 d.1°,2°,3°,4°,5°,6°,7°,8°,9°,10°,11°,12°,13°,14°,15°,16°,21°,22°,23°,24°,25°.....(38/55)
662 d.1°,2°,3°,5°,6°,8°,9°,14°,15°,24°,38°,40°....(43/49)
347 d. 1° TOT 21°,23°,24°.......(50/54)
318 d.1°,4°,6°,8°,9°,10°,11°,12°,13°,14°,19°,21°.......(43/55)
3642 d.2°,10°,19°,21°,28°,38°,47°,50° ….(30/53)
918 d.1°,8°,10°,43°,73°,119°.......(6/6)
365 d. 1°,3°,4°,6°,7°,8°,9°,10°,11°,14°,17° ….....(34/42)
190 d. 1°,3°,5°,6°,7°,8°,10°,11°,12°,13°,14°,16°....(22/23)
189 d.1°,2°,3°,4°,5°,6°,7°,9°,11°,13°,16°,17°....(17/19)
217 d. 2°,3°,4°,8°,10°,12°,18°......(11/23)
163 d.1°,2°,3°,5°,6°,7°,8°,9°,10°,11°,12°,13°,14°,16°,17°,18° ….(40/50)
152 d.1°,3°,4°,5°,6°,7°,9°,10°,11°.....(19/26)
267 d.1°,2°,3°,4°,5°,6°,8°,10°,11°,14°,15°.....(22/28)
250 d.1°,2°,3°,4°,5°,7°,8°,9°,10°,11°,12°,13°,14°,15°,16°,17°,20°,21°,22°,27°.....(39/55)

THE 5 COMMANDMENTS OF KRISTOF AND FRENCH!

1°. Try to specialise in one part especially as a working person or beginner!
2°. Build a bond with your pigeons, a fight increases the territory of the pigeon.
3°. Do not hide behind an excuse for the failure of your own pigeons , the wind was not right, the wind is not always wrong!
4°. Breed as much as possible out of your best pigeons or their parents, but there is a lot of waste here too!
5°. Breeding, playing and selecting after the season, only the performance counts!

TO DECIDE !

Previously I was a guest there at the end of 2017, no lofts were added and Kristof and Frans have remained the same people. They haven't lost any of their touch, they have remained simple and that is to their credit. You can't but respect them for that, and I shouldn't forget to thank Patrick V.D.Abbeel. He is Kristof's friend for life and occasionally his adviser, but that goes for both sides. Not once did I hear any "big talk", he often talked about other people's great performances and pigeons. We cannot help but put them in the row of great champions like Karel Boeckx, Gebroeders Van Den Brande (lofts I often visited) also they did not do it with the masses but their pigeons flew the pan of the roof ! His KBDB pieces of art are not even in the living room they are silent witnesses in the storeroom !

Kristof often uses the word luck, luck you have to have when young pigeons make their tours in the beginning that no big clumps of pigeons pass over at that moment. Luck you have to have when that damned bird of prey is lurking and suddenly attacks. These things happen but his greatest happiness are his wife Ann and children Margo and Milan . Pigeon sport is beautiful , on the other hand he finds it a pity that there is so much jealousy . I say goodbye with the words......

Kristof and Frans Congratulations for your great season from the whole HERBOTS TEAM .

Rudy Fosselle

"As a little boy, pigeons attracted him like iron on a magnet, it would later turn out that little Kristof was exceptionally gifted in dealing with pigeons."