“Falckenborg-Nijhof (Beltrum-NL) ends the season in style: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th against 6,865 pigeons!”

The final race of the season proved to be one that Falckenborg-Nijhof from Beltrum will not soon forget. On 12 September 2026, no fewer than 6,865 pigeons were released from Marche-en-Famenne. The team brought the season to a close in impressive style, securing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th prizes.

Arrivals from all directions

The way in which the pigeons arrived perhaps made the performance even more remarkable. The first pigeon flew in from the correct direction on its own. A few seconds later, three pigeons returned from the north, whilst almost simultaneously two pigeons arrived from the east. So there was no question of a pair returning together. On the contrary: the pigeons came from different directions, which only added to the excitement during the arrival. This made the final race of the season a truly spectacular finale. Later in the results, several more pigeons from the team returned, including the 8th, 15th, 16th, 48th and 50th prize winners out of 6,865 pigeons.

Let’s take a look at the first six pigeons from the race.

NL25-1121141: 1st prize  Marche  and Famenne against 6,865 pigeons. Earlier this year, this hen won the race from Reusel against 2,916 pigeons. 1st Ace Pigeon Speed Sector South 2 - 6th Ace Pigeon Natour South 2. Daughter of the current foundation sire “Jared” NL16-1254647, an original Eijerkamp H. & E.J.   X “Fast 819” 50% Gebr. Leideman – 50%  Fons Nijhof

NL25-1121211: 2nd Marche en Famenne 6,865d. - 5th Dizy Le Gros 3,144d. - 5th Marche en Famenne 2,021d.  

2nd Ace Pigeon Speed Sector South 2 - 3rd Ace Pigeon Speed Sector South 2  

Born from "NL23-999" X "NL23-056". In both pigeons, we mainly find the foundation of Fons Nijhof crossed with Gebr. Leideman.

NL25-1121206: 3rd Marche en Famenne 6,865d.

Father NL22-225 = 1st Young Ace Pigeon Division 9, South Sector - 50% F. Nijhof x 50% Gebr. Leideman

Half-brother of 2nd National Ace Pigeon Middistance 2022 - 4th National Ace Pigeon Middistance 2021

Mother NL22-322 = 3rd Speed Ace Pigeon Division 9, South Sector

Daughter of the foundation sire "Jared" NL16-1254647, an original Eijerkamp H. & E.J. X "Fast 819" 50% Gebr. Leideman - 50% Fons Nijhof

NL26-8497297: 6th Marche en Famenne 6,865d. Born from "NL25-111" 50% F. Nijhof x 50% Gebr. Leideman X

"NL25-140" full sister of the winner on this flight "NL25-141" = Daughter of the current foundation sire "Jared" NL16-1254647 an original Eijerkamp H. & E.J. X "Fast 819" 50% Gebr. Leideman - 50% Fons Nijhof

So again a granddaughter of the foundation sire "Jared"

NL26-8495257: 8th Marche en Famenne 6,865 birds.

Granddaughter 'NL10-980' Fons Nijhof: 1st NPO Mantes La Jolie 4,201 birds - 1st Nijvel 30,597 birds - 2nd NPO Epernay 24,826 birds.

Mother = 100% Verkerk G&S lines 'Eye Catcher' 1st provincial Mantes La Jolie 20,506 birds - Olympic Survivor - 'Hot Shot' - 'Bulldozer'

The current successes stem mainly from the Nijhof stock, which was crossed with pigeons from Gert Rotman, the Eijerkamp family, the Jager brothers, the Leideman brothers and G&B Verkerk.

System & care

The breeding season begins on 10 December. The breeding pairs rear two to four young per round. The racing pigeons are not paired until 15 January and rear one round of young. Each year, around 120 young birds are entered into races. The racing pigeons are raced using the total widowhood system. During the racing season, the day begins at half past six with an hour’s training for the hens. After an hour, the hens are called back inside. In the afternoon, as soon as Marco is back home, it is the cocks’ turn. They too get their regular training round. Later in the afternoon, Fons takes charge of the young birds and sees to their training. The hens are regularly released for a second time in the evening. In rainy weather, however, all the pigeons stay indoors. The pigeons are raced under a total widowhood system in a seven-metre garden loft, fitted with an attached run. In principle, 25 cocks and 35 hens are raced. The partners are only allowed to be together for a short time upon their return from a race. The ten extra hens are paired with a few reserve cocks. In this way, every hen has her regular partner waiting for her upon her return. The widowers have a section 3.5 metres wide, whilst the widow hens have their own section, three metres wide. During the day, the hens stay in the run. The young birds are housed in a garden loft five metres wide, also with an attached run. The front of this loft is entirely fitted with mesh, whilst the other sides are closed. Initially, the young birds are not yet encouraged to fly via the sliding hatch. This system is only introduced after four races. The young birds are then separated by sex and subsequently encouraged to fly by being shown to one another. The young birds remain on a bed of pea straw throughout the year. This ensures a dry, hygienic and comfortable living environment.
 

The feed

The feeding system consists of a combination of different mixes. The basis is formed by Versele-Laga Widowers’ Mix and Gerry Plus, supplemented with the NPO mix from Embregts-Theunis and some Super Dieet from Garvo. In addition, the pigeons are constantly provided with sufficient grit and minerals. Upon returning from a race, a little Belgasol is added to the drinking water.

Medical care

Medical care is provided in accordance with the system developed by Theo van Oranje and Nanne Wolf. The pigeons are vaccinated twice against paramyxovirus and once against smallpox. Should a case of colibacillosis arise, targeted treatment is administered.

A final race, with pigeons arriving from all directions, and ultimately five pigeons in the top six. Marco and Fons could not have wished for a better end to the season. Congratulations from the whole Herbots team!