Kiekens-De Preter (Koningshooikt) win 1st Provincial Dax in Antwerp

Koningshooikt - The Kiekens-De Preter tandem achieved a remarkable feat by winning the 1st provincial prize on the international flight from Dax. Their winning pigeon, BE19-6029049, was the fastest of 253 old birds in the province of Antwerp and also took 8th place nationally against 2,578 old birds.

Kiekens-De Preter with their 15th Nat. ace pigeon long-distance KBDB and the provincial winner on Dax.
Both pigeons have since moved to another location outside Koningshooikt.

A Remarkable Duo

Kiekens-De Preter consists of Paul Kiekens, a retired art smith, and Christiane De Preter, better known as Jantje, who used to be manager and owner of NV Die Ente, a company specialising in real estate. Jantje was also formerly a breeder of exclusive breeds of ducks, which sparked her interest in pigeons. The two are opposite neighbours and started working together after the death of Jantje's husband, when she was supported by Paul and his wife Diane. This led to a successful partnership in pigeon racing. As the saying goes: where a woman works in the loft, performance goes crescendo.

Daily Care

The daily care of the pigeons starts around 6.30am and lasts until 9am, with a second round from 5pm to 6pm. The lofts are cleaned very thoroughly every day and are always spotless. Punctuality and cleanliness are essential here. Even the wooden grates on the floor are cleaned daily. Paul looks after the lofts for the widowers, while Jantje takes care of the lofts for the two-year olds, one-year olds and youngsters.

Nutrition and Medical Supervision

The widowers are fed several mixtures of the brands Van Tilburg, Beyers and Aidi, adapted to the races they have to perform for. Jantje feeds the same mixtures, but in different proportions depending on the needs of her pigeons. Since September 2023, vet An Havet from Blanden has been consulted, which has led to greatly improved results. Now only necessary medication is given and otherwise the pigeons only get pure water and quality mixtures. "Fuel the pigeons must have," Dr Havet said.

Playing Method and Training

The old pigeons are played on classic widowhood with partners staying at home and train twice a day for up to about an hour and a half, even in the evening from 8pm to 9.30pm. The two-year old and one-year old pigeons are played on sliding door and the youngsters remain unspooled until they are used in the middle-distance. This last group, affectionately called her "snoozes" by Jantje, are very tame and sometimes she even has to lift them up to remove the manure from under their feet.

Pedigree

The ancestor of the loft is a son of the second national Narbonne, purchased from the Derboven brothers from Nijlen, of the H. Brinkman race. There are also pigeons from Frank Vercammen and Philippens from Voeren, as well as a cock from Frans Van den Eynde from Nijlen of the Florizone race, the father of the provincial winner.

Main Results

The results of recent years do not lie. In 2022, Kiekens-De Preter became 5th national champion long-distance KBDB, 2nd champion long-distance PE Antwerp and won the 15th national ace pigeon long-distance KBDB and the 1st provincial ace pigeon long-distance Antwerp. Moreover, in the international flight from Barcelona, they fetched four pigeons out of four nationally.

Kiekens-De Preter impress with their dedication, expertise and love for pigeons. Their punctual method and loving approach clearly bears fruit.

Paul and Christianne, congratulations from the entire Herbots team!

Maarten Herbots