Oudermans Francois (Westmalle) 1st + 2nd Nat Argenton 14.745 young birds (2 fastest birds from 18.120p)

The 3rd national race for young pigeons was a fast flight. This time they were released from Argenton, with a strong tailwind, the pigeons turned towards Belgium and in the morning the first pigeons reached speeds of almost 120kmh, which the first pigeons from Argenton stayed just below. The first 2 pigeons belong to the same fancier, Francois Oudermans in Westmalle, Antwerp. He clocked 2 pigeons 2 minutes apart and coincidentally these are 2 sisters. We should have put Francois in the spotlight this year because of a 1st Provincial Poitiers among the yearlings and this was also a full sister of the 2 young pigeons that are now winning gold and silver. A unique achievement and certainly something you will not easily experience in pigeon racing in the same year. 

The breeding pigeons simply do winter breeding and about 20 to 22 couples have to take care of the young pigeons that can be raced. The 1st round will then be about 40 birds and they will be placed in an open loft with a run at the front and they will be raced on the sliding door later in the season. The 2nd round is then on the left in the garden and is slightly larger, because during that period the racing pigeons also raise a round of youngsters and they simply remain together during the season.

The young pigeons are trained in April and he usually starts at 3km and builds up towards his first flight from Quievrain. The pigeons are only taken away during the week if they have not fared well over the weekend. This was the case the week before Argenton and on Wednesday he will drive to Vilvoorde again. The young pigeons train here once a day every day and this year this was easily one hour without any effort.

The 1st pigeon that was clocked is one from the second round that has so far flown 2x Quievrain, 2x Noyon, Ecouen and Bourges. The 2nd pigeon is one from the first round and already flew a little more in the preparation. 

Small detail, since the pigeons flew their first Quievrain, the lofts are no longer cleaned, the lofts themselves are very dry and the manure was also bone dry during our visit, which made the pigeons look fantastic. 

I don't do anything as motivation during the 1st round, they know the system that they go into the hive without motivation and are allowed to be together when they get home. I do this every week and it works fine, the 2nd round can sit together and try to find motivation. 

The extra products I use mainly come from Dr.Mariën and his conditioning syrup and conditioning powder that I use.

BE 24-6188086 Blue white flight white head Hen 
1st National Argenton 14,745 young pigeons (fastest of 18,120p)

Her father was purchased as a voucher from Jan & Tom Iwens and is inbred to the founder of this colony “Vici” from Patrick Vervloesem. The mother was a proven breeding hen herself and became 3rd Ace Pigeon Union Antwerp as a youngster. 

Full sister of “BE 22-6082855” 1 Prov Poitiers 1,041p – 1 Nat (z) Poitiers 3,161p ( 8 Nat 9,015p ) 
Last year this hen was 20th National Ace Pigeon heavy middle distance yearlings KBDB 2023 and won, among other things: 
11 Prov Bourges 3,130p – 23 Nat (z) Argenton 2,644p – 69 Prov Argenton 2,328p and 75 Nat Argenton 15,210p

Arrival: 12:27:30
Distance: 569.774km
Velocity: 1981.82 m/min

Full sister of 2nd National Argenton 14,745 young pigeons

BE 24-6188034 Blue Hen
2nd National Argenton 14,745 young pigeons (2nd fastest of 18,120p)

Arrival: 12:29:32
Distance: 569.774km
Velocity: 1967.90 m/min