A week later but a world of difference

Indeed, last week the Herbots Team also contacted Patrick Van Hoof and Kristina Vanwijngaerden because then they won provincial Argenton and for the 3rd time in their career the 2nd national. It was as if a national win was out of their reach. 
But as we already noted...a week later and a world of difference because top hen "Wilma" (B22-6155315) who won the provincial win and the 2nd prize national from Argenton last week does now put her ring number at the very top of the result. 
"Wilma" makes the ultimate dream of Patrick and Kristina come true and wins the 1st prize national La Souterraine against 5,243 old birds

The racing team was not large for this season, barely 13 were selected to race. During the winter period, the best 4 racing hens, including the pigeon from Argenton, were coupled to the young pigeons' loft to collect eggs and immediately transfer them. Afterwards, they were walked daily from mid-January and flew easily for 1h30 to 2h00 per day. The basic condition was excellent and around mid-February they were paired with a cock in the racing loft for 4 days so that they knew him before the season started. Afterwards they only saw them again during the first training flights of the season. Now they still train for one hour every day, but I limit this to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. They do not train on the day of basketing. It is the first time that I have let my pigeons out so early in the spring, but I have certainly not experienced any disadvantages. 

The hens spend the day in an aviary in front of the racing loft and in the evening they move to the resting loft in a counter box where they are only locked up when they really want to mate. Otherwise they can simply remain loose in the loft. 

The food that the pigeons received during the winter period was 50% Purification together with 50% Galaxy Sport Light Beyers. Afterwards, they switched to Beyers' Galaxy range, which he has been following for several years. The products that are used during the season are from Schroeder – Tollisan and from the middle distance I also use some products from Koehoorn. 

The hens did not see any cocks when they were basketed for the first flights of the season. Afterwards I sometimes left them with the cocks for a few minutes but they could not reach them and now I left them together for an hour on Thursday morning. I like variation in motivation to keep them awake until the end of the season. 

When they return home from the more difficult flights, they are allowed to sit half-way next to the cocks until most of the pigeons are home. Usually after one hour this is the case and they are allowed to join the cocks. Each hen has a permanent cock.

B22-6155315
1st National La Souterraine 5,243 old birds

Distance: 583km

Velocity: 1,334.83 m/m

Won the weekend before
2nd National Argenton 8.343b. 

Stefan Mertens