Sierens Norbert – Zwevegem 1st Provincial Vivonne (West Flanders) 2,369 old birds

Norbert is no stranger to national pigeon racing. Until the 2010 season, Norbert formed a tandem with Luc Van Den Broecke. They became world famous in 1995 thanks to their national ace pigeon Fond KBDB "Driebander". Afterwards, Norbert continued in his own name and how. 

In recent years, the Sierens colony played in the spotlight by winning a/o.

1st National Chateauroux 17,189b. - fastest of 39,908d.
1st National Souillac 5,282b.
1st National Argenton 11,825d.

Not to mention provincial and several Top-10 national listings such as

3rd Nat Vivonne 9,015b. (2024)
3rd National Limoges 7,274b.
4th National Brive 9,132b.
5th National Limoges 9,661b.
6th National Limoges 6,986b.
6th National Gueret 5,331b.
9th National Montluçon 9,462b.

etc..

Norbert started the season with a team of 30 old and 35 yearling widowers. These housed in six different departments. The widowers were paired in early January but after 10 days of breeding, both the nest and the hens were removed and widowhood was a fact. There is no more talk of a 2nd pairing just before the start of the season here. "I used to do that" says Norbert "but I saw that the cocks were then busy with their hens more than necessary and didn't take the time to eat properly. As a result, some already wasted too much strength and this before the start of the season."
As for the rest, Norbert has hardly changed anything about his system. As feeds, there is the Vandenabeele mixture as a base and as the basketing date approaches, they are promptly raised with a sport mixture. 
By-products are given with difficulty unless the weekend they stay home, then a big scoop of glucose + electrolytes disappears into the drinking water for 3 days.
In medical terms, trichomoniasis is treated every 4 weeks during the season, coxi is only treated if an infection is found during a manure check and ornithosis is only treated - on the advice of the vet - if the results are not good. 

Wout" wins provincial Vivonne

Provincial winner and also 3rd national against 9,015 old birds became blue widower "Wout". "Wout" (B20-3095730) had already shown his fitness this season as in the previous flights he won, among others, 5th Interprov. Chateauroux 7,152 old birds. 

"He came straight from the right direction" Norbert manages to tell us "given the tight south-west wind and given we live in the front of the province we thought he would still be beaten but nothing could be further from the truth. He was able to keep his place of honour at provincial level and also nationally his ring number is listed in 3rd place. We are more than proud of this unique achievement."

Stefan Mertens