The Desmons-Wibaut-Lemoine' trio best old bird on 6 national great middle distance races 2023

Close to the French border lies the small village of Rumes in the province of Hainaut and it is here that the pigeon fanciers of the 'DESMONS-WIBAUT-LEMOINE' trio are based. Comprising Thierry Desmons (58), Jean-Luc Wibaut (68, Thierry's uncle) and Johan Lemoine (41, a family friend), the trio was formed recently, as the pigeon racing licence was taken out in 2019. Johan takes care of the logistics (transporting the pigeons for releases, to the enlogement offices, supplying seeds and other travel), while Thierry and Jean-Luc manage the day-to-day running of the colony. Although speed and small middle-distance races are also played, their favourite discipline are the national great middle distance races

 

Within this small colony, 3 'top' pigeons stand out:

ROUCKY (BE21-1115570)
best pigeon of Belgium on 6 national great middle distance races.  This crack pigeon (from a cross (Harchies Christian & Cyril x Leutenez Eddy & Marteen) has already won numerous prizes during his sporting career, including: 32nd Nat. Argenton III 2023 (8,777 old), 40th Nat. Bourges 2023 (21,075 old) 310th Nat. Gueret 2022 (12,208 yearbirds), 684th Nat. Argenton II 2023 (11,295 old), 726th Nat. Argenton I 2023 (13,103 old) etc...

ARGENTON (BE21-1115559), 

from a cross (Harchies Christian & Cyril x Claes Francis & Sylvain) has already achieved the 4th Nat. Argenton 2022 (18,763 yearbirds) and the 171st Nat. Bourges 2023 (21,075 old birds).

 

MAXENCE (BE22-1116536), 
direct from Despierre Maxence, out of a cross (Saudoyez Kévin x Clicque Gino) won the 66th Nat. Argenton 2023 (17,210 yearbirds)

 

The basis of the colony
Most of the pigeons come from Christian & Cyril Harchies (Warchin), enriched with birds from Leutenez Eddy & Maarten (Kruishoutem), Joël Verschoot (Ingelmunster), Claes Francis & Sylvain (Taintignies), and Despierre Maxence (Rongy).

Base and care taking

The small colony comprises 15 breeding pairs, which are mated in mid-December, and 2 rounds of young are reared. Playing the classic widowhood method with their 60 widowers (30 old and 30 yearlings cocks), these are also coupled in mid-December to raise 1 youngster. At the beginning of March, the widowers are coupled again and then put on widowhood after 8 days of brooding. The first training sessions begin during this brooding period. On basketing day for a national race, the hen is presented +/- 20' before the basketing, and when he returns from the competition, she is left +/- 30' if the competition is easy and up to 1h30 to 2h if it is difficult.

What's amazing about this colony is that all the widowers are fed and watered individually, and each box has 1 small drinker, 1 pot for the grit and 1 pot for the mixtures. Needless to say, this way of caring for the pigeons means a lot of work for Thierry and Jean-Luc, especially as they clean the lofts twice a day.
The racing pigeons (old and yearlings) are divided into 5 small lofts containing a maximum of 8 pigeons, and 1 other loft for 20 pigeons (mainly yearlings). The 90 youngsters bred each year, are raced natural (males and females in the same loft), are fed in a shared tray and the youngbirds train once a day around the loft.
During the competition period, mixtures of Beyers and Beyers products are distributed as follows: on Mondays and Tuesdays: 50% 'Galaxy Sport Light' + 50% 'Galaxy Sport Energy' and on Wednesdays and Thursdays: 100% 'Galaxy Sport Energy'. Gluco Sport' is added daily to the drinking water, except on the day the pigeons are basketed, when the water is clear. The last meal before basketing for the middle-distance race takes place at around 1 p.m., so that the pigeons can digest properly. Daily trainings  take place twice a day, weather permitting, at around 8.30 in the morning and around 5.30 in the afternoon. After each training, in addition to the mixture, the widowers receive, in their individual tray, a spoonful of fine 'Enzymix 7/57 MS' treats as well as 'Multi Mineral Mix' grit. When they return from the competition on Saturday and Sunday, brewer's yeast is mixed with the mixture and 'Garlic Juice', and 'Herba Zyma' and 'Gluco Sport' are added to the drinking water.
Baths are also given once or twice a week and to motivate the pigeons, Thierry and Jean-Luc have a very 'playful' and 'teasing' relationship with their travellers, and if it is true that the pigeons return from the competition to join their partner, it is also to find their 2 masters: 'Thierry and Jean-Luc'.

Vet Nicolas Schoonheere (Tournai) is consulted once before the start of the competitions and then, if necessary, during the season. The pigeons are vaccinated against paramyxovirosis, parathyphosis, poquettes and rotavirus (young birds).

On behalf of Team Herbots, congratulations on the brilliant results. Thanks again for the warm welcome we received from the 'trio' and to Audrey (Johan's partner) who manages the pedigrees and administration.

 

Bernard Henry