Broeckx Niels (Oud-Turnhout) 2nd National Tulle 5,723 yearbirds

The "Poulidor feeling" , we are sure Marleen, Niels and Jan Broeckx can describe it perfectly. 
A few weeks ago they won the 2nd place national Limoges 6,889 old birds. Theirs was their shelled hen B21-6083706, which took the "poulidor place" after winning 33rd National Sancoins 9,753 pigeons and 417th National Argenton 16,457 pigeons. They were then beaten with a difference of 3rd seconds by an old pigeon of their very best friends Bart and Nance Van Oeckel. 
We remember that a deal was made between the two friends to turn the tables next time or, as a 2nd option, to both clock the 1st prize nationally in another category, but it was not to be. Last weekend Niels, Marleen and Jan won the 2nd national again and as if the "devil (or should we note "Duvel") was involved...again very narrowly beaten by their best friends Bart and Nance Van Oeckel.
But...and so we know team Broeckx, the hunt for the so coveted 1st prize national remains open and we are convinced that it will succeed. 

About the system

The old and yearling birds are all played with partners staying at home. The old hens are played up to Limoges/Souillac (750km). The yearling hens work the national 500km programme while the yearling cocks get to prove their ability on the speed (Quievrain and Noyon). "To be quite honest" Jan tells "we also played 2 yearling cocks on the long distance and that tastes like more for the coming seasons".
The hens are somewhat compulsorily darkened. "Here right next to us there is a riding school" says Marleen "and especially in the winter period the adjacent arena is fully lit, just like a football field. No need to explain more, surely? The hens are darkened from 19h to 8h until mid-May. Afterwards, they are supplementary lighting until the end of the season, which is from 6am to 11pm.
The hens have the mixtures from the Beyers range on the menu. The basis is the Vandenabeele (low-protein) mixture and as the basketing day approaches, this is gradually replaced by Galaxy Energy. As extras, we then rely on products from the Herbots Animal and Herbovet range such as Brewer's yeast (B.M.T.) - 4 Oils - Proteins (Pro-Recup) - and so on...
On the medical front, we have full confidence in vet Raf Herbots. His guidance schedule in terms of vaccinations and cures is followed very strictly. Twice a year we sit in his waiting room and for the rest there is a lot of telephone contact. Against trichomoniasis, the well-known yellow drops go over the feed every week on Monday and Tuesday.

Stefan Mertens