Willy Vos from Tielt-Winge wins 1st Provincial Argenton 2,025 young pigeons

In the national race from Argenton, Willy Vos and his keeper, Bob, from Tielt-Winge in Flemish Brabant, basketed eight young pigeons. Their young hen, "933," surprised them and suddenly found herself on the trapdoor without them expecting it. She landed on the wrong trapdoor, losing some time because Bob usually calls the pigeons in. Willy had to chase them off the trapdoor and bring them to the correct entrance, thus securing a national bronze medal. But credit where credit is due, of course, because the clock counts, nothing else. So, congratulations to the winners! Fortunately, this hen still managed to claim the provincial title against 2,025 young pigeons. Of the eight young pigeons, seven won a national prize. 

Young Pigeon System

If you're looking for a large colony, you've come to the wrong place. This year, a total of 50 young pigeons were ringed for racing, with rings 59 and 60 now being used. They currently have about 30 young pigeons left. Unfortunately, the nest brother of the national winner was caught by a peregrine falcon and was registered in a breeding box at IMEC.

The young pigeons are darkened from the end of March until the longest day of the year, from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. After that, supplemental lighting is started as soon as the young pigeons are placed on the sliding doors. At that point, we are about 14 days before Bourges, around July 15th.

The pigeons train here once a day in the morning and always fly easily. Currently, this is only 30 to 45 minutes. When they use the sliding door system, the pigeons always meet on Wednesdays for two hours and are then basketed without any motivation on Thursday and/or Friday. Upon returning home, they can stay together until the following morning.

The Argenton winner wasn't paired, but she kept checking out other pairs when we let the pigeons together on Wednesdays. So she must have noticed something, but we don't know what it was. The pigeons also always have the choice between the aviary and the loft, which remain open day and night after the darkening period ends.

They keep their diet very simple and use Vanrobaeys mixtures. They also get a yellow drop in their beaks once a week, and they regularly get Avidress from Röhnfried in their drinking water to acidify the water.

Argenton Winner

BE 25-2049933 Hen
1st Provincial Argenton 2,025 young pigeons (3rd National 11,600 young pigeons) 
She won a prize on both other national races, meaning she did not miss out on 3 national races

Father BE 22-2063164 Blue
Nest brother of "163," who won 2nd Prov Tulle 562p (28th National) – 6th Nat Aurillac 6,512p – 138th Nat Limoges 8,970p – 222nd Nat Souillac 6,085p. Son of "736/19," grandson Red Devil Porsche Ariën – De Keyser x "732/19" Van Houdt – Serre x Ariën – De Keyser.

Mother BE 24-2098781. Granddaughter King Remco 930
Daughter of "595/20," son of King Remco, who was 4th Nat Ace Pigeon 5 long distance races 2021-2022 PIPA ranking and raced with Ariën – De Keyser x "929/23." Daughter of "172," who won 19th Nat Aurillac 6,512p and 39 Nat Limoges 6,889p

From the entire HERBOTS TEAM, congratulations on this fantastic victory.

Buelens Kim