SPEAKING OF A MARATHON TOPPER WINKENS-ROTHENBURG WON 4 NATIONAL VICTORIES IN 10 YEARS
27 Oct 2022
In 1996, Jacques Winkens decided to race exclusively the long distance/marathon races. It started with the birds of the late Hennie van Brienen from Swalmen who at the time was a great champion on the provincial one-day long-distance races. The successful Hennie van Brienen bought his base birds exclusively at the illustrious Belgian champions Martin v. Tuyn from Schoten and Jos v.d. Bosch from Berlaar. The bloodlines of these thoroughbreds still flows through Itteren's champion formation. Jac got the van Brienen birds from his famous brother and fellow villager Harrie Winkens.
Gebr.Saya, Heer-Maastricht
Then birds from the well-known Saya brothers from Heer enriched the breedingloft of Jacuques Winkens and the first great successes followed soon. A true champion stock cock was 'Saya 305' NL95-305. He was born in Heer from the pairing 'Broer Bordeaux' (so uncle of the 'Bonte Marathon') x 'Perpignan Duivin' (3x prize of Perpignan).
Also 'Blue 358' became a top breeder in Itteren. He was bred in Heer from NL94-398, crossing 'Blauwe van de Riet' (father of Martha 1st Internat. Perpignan'00 18426d) x daughter 'Witstaart Abor' (22nd Nat.Barcelona'93). His mother NL90-846 was another granddaughter of the 'Pau hen' Gebr.Kuypers Neer.
Wijnands & son, Maastricht
Another golden investment was made by Jacques Winkens in 1999 and 2000. Then, two years in a row, Jacques purchased twelve pairs of eggs from the renowned long-distance racers Harrie and Roger Wijnands in Maastricht. Those eggs came mostly from pigeons that later turned out to be great long-distance champions in Maastricht. The two grandsons of the world-famous 'Blue Vanoppen' of Wijnands & zn, namely the 'Vale 208' and the 'Blue 203', became the progenitors of many generations of top flyers and breeders until this year.
Of course, Jacques also bought from the source of top pigeons at brother Harrie Winkens. Initially from his long-distance pigeons, coming from Hennie van Brienen, Wijnands&zn and from L.Kurvers (from Kurvers-de Weerd) Hulsberg. In recent years, incredible successes have been achieved with the introduction of Harry's 'all-rounders', birds selected year after year by Harry to excel from the first short distance race to '800 km morning release races'.
A sister of 1st Prov. Bergerac'05 was obtained from the well-known Fons Lanckohr from Meer. She became, among others, mother of the 'Dax Doffer' with 8th and 16th Nat. and 1st Champion afdeling Limburg 2011 “Afternoon releases”. She is also grandmother of 'Mooie Hugo', a.o. 7th Intern.Marseille'14 against 12,158b.
Successes were also achieved with 2 hens obtained from Ludo Verstraeten in Echt. One of the best long distance champions in province Limburg. The birds of Lalieu-van Dooren (Theelen/Hagens/Steketee) are the base birds of this loft. In Itteren, Ludo's NL10-541 became grandmother of 'Mooie Hugo' (a.o. 7th Intern.Marseille'14 against 12,158b.) and of the 'Blauw witpen 863' (15th Nat.Agen'13 against 14,386d).
Grandson Joerie strengthens the team
In recent years, the combination got an extra "energy boost" when grandson Joerie fanatically joined in taking care of the pigeons. So in the last 10 years, they won 4 national victories, the last of which in 2021 on national Agen yearlings.
Total widowhood
The Pasestraat residence is full of dovecotes. These are simple lofts that have a good climate. There is a dovecote where cocks for flights are in three departments are housed with morning release. This dovecote also has a part with a small aviary where all the widowed hens are housed. Then a loft a little higher where the breeding pairs have their residence on the left. They have a small aviary available. In addition, a department with cocks for flights with afternoon release. In addition, a department for young pigeons. Perpendicularly there is a small cage for the late ones. Screens have been installed in all the windows of these lofts so that fresh air can enter both day and night. The air is exhausted through an opening in the ceiling and raised rooftiles.
From February 4, the breeding and racing pigeons, made up of 59 males, including 32 yearlings and 59 females, including 34 yearlings, were coupled. Carrier pigeons in different groups to be able to transfer two rounds of eggs from breeding pigeons. The best breeding pairs raise a third round. The youngsters come from the best carrier pigeons and also from promising yearlings from good lines. There is a young in each nest. If the youngster is in the stubble, the hen is already taken away and the cock takes care of the young alone. It thus prevents the hens from laying a second time. Once the young are weaned, the pigeons remain separated. To keep in shape at the start of the season, the racing pairs are mated again around mid-April and are allowed to mate for about 5 days. After that, they are double widowed. The cocks were basketed up to 350 km and a few old birds and yearlings then flew to Limoges. Then another 400 km to go to Agen. The females are entered every week until the first day of long distance racing then at 350 and 300 km then in Bordeaux to let go in the afternoon.
During two weeks, rest for the group which will go to the first long distance race. Males mainly run the three long distance races with the morning release, while the females are ranked for the four flights with the afternoon release. The yearling hens are entered in two races. Sometimes a ZLU flight is also used. On the day of basketing for the first long distance flight, all pigeons can see their partner for half a day. Those who don't fly too. The males who went to Agen ZLU had received their females around 11:30 am for about two hours. After that, Joerie threw straw at them and they could huddle together for a while.
When they return home, the pigeons do not congregate. The hens go to their own department immediately after arrival. Roosters train twice a day, while hens only come out in the evening. Between races Jacques sometimes wants to ride with the hens if they do not want to train properly because the returning hens have not yet fully recovered. Jacques is a fan of light food and when they return home the roosters and hens are given a mixture of 50% purification and 50% standard food. They don't get a heavier mix before the flight, but about five days before a flight, they get as much food as they want for a day. After that there is always enough food in the tank. It all depends a bit on the pigeons that are going to an upcoming flight.
At the beginning of May, all the pigeons receive a cure against tricho. This box will remain closed for the rest of the season. Jacques is aware that the airways are still in good condition and after returning home there is something from the vet in the water for a few days against respiratory infections. Jacques finds this extremely important. The many years of breeding for performance and health have resulted in a stock of pigeons which can easily stay healthy. Jacques says he can find everything in the eye of the pigeon. Hard to put into words, but through years of experience he can clearly see the health, shape and super form of a pigeon. The eye is not called the mirror of the soul for nothing. Vincent Schroeder Extra Energy, Amino Acids and Condition Powder are available for pigeons twice a week.
Jacques' passing is very hard
Yet life can be hard. On 6 March 2022, Jacques left us. Due to Jacques' passing, Trudi and Joerie have decided to sell a select group through internet sales Pigeon Bids
