UkPigeonRacing

I never had this family of birds, so it would be good to know. How good they were.

I only know his birds for the chocolates that were associated with the name.
I thought he only bred for colour so never entertained them. But looking at his lofts, I didnt see any chocs in there at all.

In 1961, Karel Meulemans and his father Jan traveled to the lofts of Jos van den Bosch in Berlaar, Belgium, where they purchased five pigeons that served as the genetic foundation for the Meulemans strain.
These birds were chosen for their lineage from van den Bosch's proven racers, particularly emphasizing potential in middle-distance competitions; among them were a son of the acclaimed "Vurige van 58" cock and a recessive red hen that was a full sister to the noted "Princess of 56."

The recessive reds were bred only randomly, so the loft never housed many at any one time. Others though bred for the recessive colour on purpose, and filled their lofts and the market with the recessive reds.

wow, amazing lofts there
so really good quality birds, I do like the colours he had, I know that's not everything in a pigeon but I bet we all have a soft spot for some type of pigeon

Diamond Dave wrote: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:38 am I only know his birds for the chocolates that were associated with the name.
I thought he only bred for colour so never entertained them. But looking at his lofts, I didnt see any chocs in there at all.

Hi Dave....i visited the lofts in 1986 not a chocolate to be seen...red checks and reds a few.. but the quality blue's.. blue pied's pencil pied'sand dark pied's absolute quality.

Meulemans had a very complicated career including several partnerships that created him many problems on the demise of his partners.
He was in the same village as the Janssen brothers
He had many excellent birds from many sources
The main bloodline is said to come down from the Oude van den Bosch cock and the blue Janssen hen
We were lucky enough to have some of these birds that flew well for us