Patrick Vervloesem (Rijmemam) wins 1st Provincial Bourges and 1st National Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB 2026 in one weekend.

We had only just put this colony in the spotlight because of its top long-distance pigeon; now it is the turn of an old hen, namely “Kim”. This hen was bred by Buelens Kim and raced at the lofts of Patrick Vervloesem in Rijmenam. She won 1st Provincial Bourges out of 668 old pigeons and was also the fastest of 5,945 pigeons in total. Nationally, she won silver out of 5,316 old pigeons and was beaten by an offspring of his own pigeons. Unbelievable but true. That same weekend, it was a matter of waiting to see what the last long-distance race of the season would do for the national ace pigeons, but here Patrick remained in first place and his cock thus won the coveted title of 1st National Ace Pigeon Long Distance Old Pigeons KBDB 2026. What a super season for this colony. The reference for Olivier Poussart, who won 1st National Bourges against 5,316 old pigeons, is thanks to a granddaughter of “Bieke” (daughter of Super Breeder 564). He had previously also won 1st I. Prov. Sancoins against 2,898 pigeons.

**Hens System**

The yearlings and old hens fly on the classic widowhood system. Only the old hens were paired in the spring and raised a round of youngsters. The youngsters were ready by mid-March, but the hens were removed when the youngsters were 14 days old. This prevented a second clutch and put them on widowhood. The yearlings were not paired in the spring.

No darkening or artificial lighting was used, and the goal was primarily to excel in the national races. For the first time this year, aviaries were installed in front of the lofts, and the hens were allowed to sit in the aviary during the day. In the evening, they were allowed back inside the resting loft, but nothing is provided on the floor here so that they cannot sit on the ground.

On the day of basketing, the hens always get the cocks for one hour in the morning. Afterwards, they are fed, given a bath, and then fed again. This is how they are always basketed for the middle-distance and national races. After returning from the national races, Patrick changed his approach. He wants to give the pigeons more rest and faster recovery. Therefore, they are allowed inside the resting loft first; afterwards, they get fifteen minutes with their cocks and are let out again. The day after, when they enjoy it more themselves, they are allowed to be together with the cocks for an hour or two. Especially if the weather was warm in the afternoon and evening, it is better for them to sit with the cocks in the morning when it is less warm in the lofts.

Now at Bourges, on Thursday morning, the hens were flown approximately 15 km for the first time this year because it was the last race of the season. They came home and were allowed to spend an hour with the cocks. This was the second time the hens were driven this year; the first time was when we were not allowed to race the pigeons due to the hot weather. Back then, Patrick drove the hens on Sunday to keep the rhythm going.

Winner Bourges and Long Distance Ace Pigeon

BE 24-6010696 “Kim” 
Breeder : Buelens Kim 

1 Prov Bourges 668p ( fastest of 5.945p )
1 Nat (z) Bourges 927p – 2 Nat 5.316p
34 Nat La Chatre 10.300p
82 Noyon 4.485p
157 Nat La Chatre 4.633p
297 Nat Bourges 22.975p

Father BE 22-6034182 Witpen As – Thijs Nick & Roger
Brother of “Witte Nagels” 7th National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance KBDB 2017
Brother of “Dobberke” 1st National (z) La Souterraine 1,634p – 15th National Argenton 23,124p
Son of “170/17” Witten As” x “924/17” Geert Lambrechts

Mother BE 22-6034183 Daughter Sparrow – Thijs Nick & Roger
Super breeding hen
Grandmother of “Marie” 1st Provincial Vierzon 3,489p ( 9th National 16,892p)
Great-grandmother of 1st Ace Pigeon Costa Del Sol OLR 2025
Daughter of “708/19” Sparrow 1st National Argenton 14,787p – 16th National Gueret 12,888p x “736/19” Super 736 won 15 Nat Argenton 14,787p – 26 Nat Chateauroux 7,099p

BE 23-6105811 Checkered Cock

1 Nat (z) Perigueux 828p ( 28 Nat 3.435p )
2 Prov Limoges 942p ( 80 Nat 9.067p )
4 Nat (z) Limoges 1.762p ( 20 Nat 6.972p )
10 Nat (z) Argenton 1.800p
38 Nat Tulle 3.726p
157 Nat Bourges 8.132p
306 Nat Bourges 13.580p

Father BE 18-6254850 Son Super Breeder 564
A true top breeder and, besides this Ace Pigeon, also father of 1 Soissons 2,912p – 1 Noyon 1,009p – 1 Chimay 606p
Son of “564/08” Super Breeder 564 Aelbrecht x Engels x “281/16” Pauline is, among others, mother of 1 Nat (z) Valence and 11 Nat Limoges

Mother BE 18-6124029 Madelon
Was herself 7th Nat Ace Pigeon over 6 long-distance races in 2020 with, among others, 4 Nat (z) Montelimar 1,164p
Daughter of “148/14” Rode x “052/14” Pied granddaughter Bak 13

Patrick and Bieke, congratulations on these amazing results from the entire HERBOTS TEAM.

Buelens Kim