Annick Goeteyn (Deinze) Wins 1st Provincial Bourges III East Flanders with yearling Nikita

Deinze - Annick Goeteyn has impressed in pigeon racing again. Her yearling hen "Nikita" won the first provincial prize for the province of East Flanders during the national flight from Bourges. Nikita, with ring number BE23-4065069, flew as the fastest of the 1,547 yearlings from East Flanders and even of all 3,831 pigeons basketed in East and West Flanders. Annick's pigeons have performed time and again this year. Her loft achieved several podium finishes, including the 1st and 2nd Interprovincial Fontenay with 1,895 pigeons and the 1st Interprovincial Chateaudun against 4,155 pigeons. With a total of 27 wins so far, Annick has had a phenomenal season.

Nikita

What makes this achievement extra special is that Nikita had to fly against the wind, a challenge she effortlessly overcame despite the location of Annick's loft. Nikita accomplished her winning flight on a youngster just five days old. Until the beginning of July, Nikita was played on classic widowhood, after which she, along with six other hens who were kind of fed up with widowhood, moved to the youngsters' loft to keep them company.

Nikita was basketted for Bourges at the last minute as there was still one place free in the basket. Initially, it was not the intention to put her in for this flight, as she had mainly been flying short distance with the youngsters in recent weeks. Yet Nikita, a small hen with a lot of spunk, proved that she had more to offer than expected.

Pedigree

The winning hen is a daughter of "Armando x Contador" (Joël Verschoot) and "Daughter Nina". Also, "Daughter Nina" descends from the best pedigree on Annick's loft, "Ronaldo Junior", who won 5th place nationally on Issoudun against 12,349 pigeons, and "Nina", 1st Interprovincial Brionne against 14,856 pigeons.

Nutrition

Annick gives her hens special attention in terms of nutrition, including Aidi's Girlpower mix, which provides sufficient energy without the risk of mutual mating. For speed, all pigeons are fed Aidi Mix 1, while the cocks receive a heavier middle distance Mix 3 and Long Distance mix. In addition, all pigeons receive sprouted feed as a bonus.

System

Annick has 50 breeding couples this year and started the season with 150 youngsters, 35 cocks and 37 hens old and yearlings. The old cocks and hens are played classic widowhood and the youngsters now stay together for the whole season for the 4th year and are further played on nest (in the past the youngsters were played on the sliding door).

Together with her partner Christian Dekeyser, Annick forms a strong team. Each knows his task to ensure everything runs smoothly. Regular visits to vet Piet Blancke give Annick the assurance that her pigeons remain in top condition, which this season has clearly shown in the results.

With Nikita's victory Annick & Christian again set a strong performance in pigeon racing, and the future promises much more.
Annick & Christian, congratulations from the whole Herbots team!

Maarten Herbots