Team Hooymans WVL – Desselgem: 1e Prov. Bourges 830 oude 2e Prov. Bourges 1.366 jaarse

"There is no limit"...this sign should better be hung on the loft at Desselgem because the Hooymans pigeons really know no limits there.

National Tulle was already won by hen "Anja" (a direct daughter from topper "Silviu" - "Silviu" won 1st NPO Chateaudun 15,359d. - 5th Nat. Chateauroux 8,075d. - 6th NPO Vierzon 2,363b.) and last week it was "Brother Anja" who did not want to be inferior to his sister and won the provincial victory from La Souterraine.
We are not even a full week later or we can already contact caregiver Kristof Verstraete again. Bourges national has its winners and in the province of West Flanders, in the category old birds, this one was for Team Hooymans WVL. Their cock "Son Red Harry" beat the 830 West-Flanders Bourges racers and hen "693" won 2nd provincial against 1,366 yearling birds.

System

The 2024 season was started with a group of 45 cocks and 53 hens, all played according to classical widowhood. With this group, the great middle-distance and long-distance races are played. Kristof also coaches 40 marathon pigeons (played on total widowhood) and of course the group of youngsters bred by Jan Hooymans every year. 
One of the important pillars in this successful system is the training of the pigeons. Not the duration but especially the way the pigeons train is very important. When the old and yearling pigeons fly through the air like youngsters making their first tours in the wide surroundings, you know as a fancier that it is all right. When the pigeons train at home in full season between 30 min and 1 hour is more than enough. 
Another pillar is that nothing is left to chance by the entire Hooymans family (both in the Netherlands and in Mol and Desselgem). Everything starts with a loft that gives the fancier every opportunity to intervene under all weather conditions. Nowhere is looking at a euro to house the racing pigeons in the best lofts. A loft must be adapted to the environment it is in, so all lofts are different. 
In terms of care, Kristof is guided by Aidi's people. Together they discuss flight schedules. Upon returning home, oil goes over the feed and the drinking water is enriched with electrolytes. The outlined feeding schedules are strictly followed. 
Medically, Kristof has full confidence in vet Emiel Demeester (Izegem). "A vet who understands birds" says Kristof "His practice (Degudap) has its own lab and they work, among other things, for all the big chicken farms in the area. Moreover, Emiel - like me - is against too quick and wrong use of antibiotics."

Yet another pillar in this success story is Team Hooymans itself. "Besides Jan (a super motivator), I can always turn to Gregory Bekaert (Team Hooymans.be) and Christiaan van de Wetering (Team Hooymans.NL) for advice.  There are also Tom Van Gaver and Vermeerbergen-Wilms who give me plenty of support. 

Stefan Mertens