Chris Debacker (Beveren-Leie) No fewer than 13 x 1st provincial in 2025

‘The sky is the limit’... things are going smoothly at Chris Debacker's house. In 2024, Chris was honoured as 1st General Provincial Champion KBDB West Flanders and last season he confirmed this with 70 x 1st prize and 13 x 1st provincial.

Here is an overview of the provincial and interprovincial victories:

17/05 Toury:
1e Provincial 8,270 old
1e Interprovincial 8,498 old

31/05 Orleans
1e Provincial 3,516 yearling
1e Provincial 5,870 old
1e Interprovincial 6,161 old
1e Interprovincial 3,735 yearling

12/06 Fontenay
1e Provincial 1,047 yearling
1e Provincial 1,849 old birds

26/06 Orleans
1e Provincial 1,443 old birds
1e Provincial 904 yearling

26/06 Argenton 
1e Provincial 950 yearling – fastest of 1,689b.

03/08 Clermont
1e Provincial 764 old + yearling
1e Interprovincial 788 old + yearling

Ook in de provinciale KBDB kampioenschappen schittert Chris met: 

2e prov. ace KBDB ½ Fond old birds
3e prov. ace KBDB ½ Fond yearbirds
3e – 7e - 8e and 11e prov. ace KBDB Allround youngbirds
4e prov. ace KBDB Allround yearbirds
 

And in terms of national KBDB ace pigeons, we were once again able to admire some unique top performers.
We are pleased to present to you: 

BE23-3074968 Isaac
2° Nat Ace SMD KBDB Old birds 2025
3° Prov Ace GMD KBDB Yearlings 2024
1 Toury 481d (1 Prov. 8.498d) - 1 Pontoise 308d (1 Prov. 5.321d.) - 1 Orleans 683d (15 Prov. 11.670d) - 2 Fontenay 133d (11 Prov. 1.849d) - 4 Orleans 1.443d (38 Prov. 4.731d)  - 4 Arras 779d (18 Prov. Pontoise 3.212d) - 26 Prov. Pontoise 5.526d. - 15 Prov. Argenton 1.903d. - 20 Prov. Argenton 3.661d. (22 Nat (z) 2744) - 11 Prov. Fontenay 1.849d - 25 Prov. Orleans 6.161d - 29 Prov. Toury 2.103d - 46 Prov. Orleans 4.891d - 7 Clermont 827d - 27 Nat. Chateauroux 3.852d

 “Julien” BE24-3038700
16 Nat ace KBDB SMD  Yearlings 2025
15° prov Ace KBDB   All round 2024  youngsters

1 Fontenay 133d (1 Prov. 1.849 oude – 1 Prov. 1.047 jaarse)  - 1 Orleans 111d. ( 1 Prov. 1.443 oude -  1 Prov. 912 jaarse)  - 1 Fontenay 382 (13 Prov. 9.802 oude - 5 Prov. 5.954 jaarse) - 1 Fontenay 129d (5 Prov. 3.905 jonge) - 1 Clermont 263d. (1 Combine 585d.)  - 1 Clermont 122d. (1 Combine 214d.) - 1 Clermont (4 Combine 833) - 2 Toury 229d.(18 Prov. 4.609 oude - 40 Prov. 8.498 jaarse) - 6 Clermont 395d. (27 Combine 3.431d) - 33 Chateaudun 3.686 jonge - 16 Clermont 1.427d. - 22 Toury 1.252d.

“Julien” is een volle broer van “Jaapie” 

 “Jaapie” BE24-3038625  

14° Prov Ace KBDB  SMD 2024 Youngsters
27 Nat Ace KBDB SMD 2024 Youngsters
1 Orleans 366d. (26 Provincial 7.241d.) - 7 Clermont 2.848d. - 36 Prov. Montoire 4.507d. - 36 Prov. Fontenay 3.052d. - 42 Prov. Chateaudun 3.686d.

“Jente” BE24-3038701 
14° prov Ace KBDB  All round 2024 jonge
15° Nat Ace KBDB SMD 2024 jonge 
 1 Orleans 396d. (1 Prov. 6.161d.) - 14  Prov. Chateaudun 3.686d. - 20 Prov. Orleans 7.109d. - 30  Prov. Montoire 4.507d.

Despite this outstanding season, Chris still has some concerns. "In the national middle distance races, we were unable to achieve the results we would have liked. No one can change the wind direction, and everyone has to accept it as it comes, but the less centrally located release sites such as Bourges can completely throw us off the results. Hopefully, this will be adjusted next season and there will be more flights such as Chateauroux, Argenton, and La Souterraine on the flight programme."

A clear plan to ensure everything runs smoothly

Chris emphasises that he would not be able to achieve these results without the great motivation and drive of his friends. They consult each other, make clear agreements and encourage each other to move forward! 
On the one hand, there is the help of Roger Simoens (who takes care of the young birds and helps out where necessary) and on the other hand, Wim Dewitte takes care of the hens and all the birds in the aviaries.  And, of course, Chris himself, who, in consultation with his mates, draws up the lines in which the races are run and makes the final decisions. He is responsible for the widowers on classic widowhood. Professionally, Chris is the director of two school locations where children with disabilities attend nursery and primary school. So for him, it is often a struggle to find the time to take perfect care of the pigeons.
All pigeons, both breeding and racing pigeons, will be paired on 25 November. A round will also be bred from the racing pigeons. Twenty-eight pairs of breeding pigeons will be paired. Normally, three rounds will be bred from the breeding pigeons for our own use. The first clutch will be raised by foster pairs, while the second and third rounds will be raised by the breeding pigeons themselves. This will result in approximately 200 young birds for our own use.
In the 2025 season, 36 cocks were raced on classic widowhood (with the hen staying at home) and 24 pairs on total widowhood. We started with a few more hens than cocks (30 hens and 24 cocks), but this quickly balanced out during the season due to the loss of a few hens. Chris has no preference in terms of system. Both systems have already won provincial victories or national KBDB ace pigeon titles. 
All this means that during the season, there is a lot of consultation about who trains when and who releases the pigeons. 
The approximately 200 young birds (spread over three breeding rounds) are all darkened until the longest day and then given additional lighting. A selection of 40 young cocks is made, which are paired with an old hen. These are then raced in the classic widowhood system. The other young birds are raced in widowhood and on the sliding door system. The young birds are raced in the speed, middle distance, heavy middle distance and national races for young birds.
The lofts themselves are all built of wood and are kept in tip-top condition. Everything is spotless, and what is striking is the relatively limited ventilation in the lofts. Air circulation is virtually only possible via the roof and the ridges. Chris is critical when there is too much draught through the lofts and everything is tightly closed. Admittedly, there is enough oxygen and there is limited extraction via the roofs.  The results confirm that this is the ideal setup (after searching and testing).

How are the pigeons monitored medically?

Chris is an advocate of vaccinating pigeons as much as possible. He is convinced that this is the basis for sufficient resistance to all kinds of ailments.

All old birds are vaccinated with a combination vaccine against paramyxovirus and smallpox. In October, the old birds are vaccinated against paratyphoid without prior treatment with any medication. Young birds are vaccinated with paramyxovirus-rota when they are weaned. Three weeks later, they are vaccinated again with paramyxovirus-rota. Another three weeks later, they are vaccinated with the circovirus vaccine. Another three weeks later, they are vaccinated against pox, and another three weeks later, they are vaccinated against the herpes virus.

After several years of following this approach, the young birds are very rarely affected by all kinds of diseases, and the team can be kept healthy quite easily.

Pascal Lanneau is responsible for this supervision. Pascal visits every three weeks and checks the droppings and performs a general check-up. Before the season, no treatment is required except for a short course to completely clear the heads. During the season, any intervention depends on two factors, namely the evolution and follow-up of the results and the advice of the vet.

What feed is used, what supplements?

The pigeons food Vanrobaeys feed year in, year out. Three mixtures are fed:

    Sport Pro Junior – Revolution No. 49

o    To the young birds from the moment they are weaned until the end of the season

    Sport Pro Revolution Ultra No. 53 (a slightly heavier mixture)

o             To the young birds for the last 3 to 4 feedings, depending on the race and the conditions

o    To the widowers for the last 4 to 5 feedings, depending on the race and the conditions

    Sport Pro Revolution Light no. 57

o             To the widowers as a light mixture until Arras-Clermont.

Chris chooses these mixtures because they contain Pro-Immune pellets. They like to eat this and the pigeons are always in good general condition without having to be given many other products for digestion.

Feeding is strictly measured ‘with a spoon’, Chris emphasises. This is followed very strictly, no food is spilled, and the pigeons are encouraged to eat enough until the last feeding because this improves their results and strength during the flight.

As supplements, the pigeons are given the Vanrobaeys Health Balance range without overdoing it. 

"Salomez" x "Zanine" and "Georges" x "Mieke" serve as the common thread in the breeding loft.

I actually started with sprint pigeons from a few regional fanciers. This is the foundation that was formed long ago. Later, pigeons from well-known names (Vandenabeele, Cools, De Bruyn, etc.) were added, but for fear of forgetting or shortchanging individuals, I will describe my line differently.

Breeding cock "Nick" (bred from two pigeons from Rik Cools, bred from "Kleinzoon Bliksem" x "Emma" as the sire and Inteelt Bont Nijlen x Rik Cools as the dam) is the foundation pigeon of the current colony.

Four grandsons of Nick have their place in the breeding loft, and another grandson lives with Rik Cools (and is already the sire of a 1st National Ace Pigeon). These four grandsons from Nick are each paired to a different hen. These grandsons (half-brothers) are paired with five sisters from Georges (Georges Soenens) x Mieke (Rik Cools x Chris Debacker), another golden bloodline that flows through the colony. In short: the children of "Salomez" paired with "Zanine" paired with children of "Mieke" paired with "Georges" produce excellent offspring.

This family has produced numerous top pigeons and ace pigeons in the past and is currently doing even better than ever. The pigeons from this breeding line are therefore further crossed with pigeons from Willem De Bruyn, Joost De Smeyter, Luc De Laere, Gino Clicque, and a few other fanciers.
A limited exception to this is "Gerik" (3rd Nat. Argenton and 4th National Ace Pigeon Long Distance KBDB, among others). He is the result of a son of "Dietje," 1st Nat. Souillac by Erik Denijs, paired with a hen from Wilfried Vandemaele. The offspring of "Gerik" have already been very successful, both here and with other fanciers.
An essential part of the concept and the formation of the breed is the long-standing collaboration with Rik Cools (Ruiselede). It's a clear win-win for both parties. A collaboration since 2005 has produced top pigeons for both lofts, a national victory, and has led to both strengthening their breeds, resulting in top results achieved annually with each other's pigeons. This is only possible when you work together correctly, honestly, and sincerely.

Top references galore
For several years now, many have recognized the value of Chris's pigeon family and have strengthened their lofts with these pigeons. The list is very long, but feel free to ask Jelle Roziers (Berlaar), Rik Cools (Ruiselede), Annick Goeteyn (Deinze), Anthony Maes (Waregem), Gommaire Verbruggen (Scherpenheuvel), etc., about the impact the Chris Debacker pigeons had on their lofts.
We could extend this list, but we are convinced that many pigeon fanciers are already more than well aware of the quality of these pigeons.
The ultimate proof of a pigeon's ability and performance, besides one's own achievements, is still that others succeed with your pigeons. This satisfaction within pigeon racing is also immense.

Stefan Mertens

Chris Debacker has selected a top group of pigeons bred from the very best his colony has to offer for the Pigeon Bids online auction. 
This online sale ends Wednesday, October 22nd at 2:00 PM. (CET)