Jan Hooymans (Kerkdriel) not only breeds in the Netherlands but also operates two satellite lofts in Belgium: one in Desselgem, West Flanders, and one in Mol, in northern Antwerp province. The latter competes under the name Team Hooymans.be.
The racing team at Mol is managed by Gregory Bekaert, a top pigeon fancier—it’s no surprise that he enjoys “carte blanche” from his boss, Jan Hooymans. The results achieved at Mol can easily be described as “phenomenal,” and 2024 was no exception. Not only did they secure the national victory from Argenton, but at the end of the season, the star hen “Corrie” was celebrated as 1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Yearlings KBDB 2024, achieving the lowest coefficient ever! She recorded four National Top-12 positions in one season.
No More Total Widowhood
Previously, pigeons were raced under the “total widowhood” system. In the last two seasons, they’ve shifted fully to classic widowhood. According to Gregory, pigeons under total widowhood lose motivation when they return home to an empty loft without a partner waiting. To address this, every racing pigeon now has a home mate waiting—intact and affectionate—upon return from competition. Gregory defends his method:
“I think if you compare it to ‘human life,’ you can find many similarities. Empathize with the pigeon—how it feels—and sometimes you’ll more quickly understand the cause of failure or victory.”
Off‑Season / Winter
Winter is true rest time for these racing pigeons. No youngsters are bred locally; all juveniles used come from the Netherlands and are ringed at Jan Hooymans’s main breeding loft. The racing team consists of around 150 pigeons (without partners), divided into two groups: one for heavy middle-distance and long-distance races (up to 800 km), and another for overnight races.
They usually return outside around mid‑January to lay the first fitness foundation. This year (2025), training started a month later than usual, which showed in early season results. Gregory compares them to cyclists who rest just 3–4 weeks per year—and here, the fliers rest from September through January.
Training Schedule
Training always takes place in the morning:
- Marathon pigeons go out at 6:30 AM, followed by the other groups.
- They train for about one hour; once they’re used to it, that hour is expected daily—sometimes with a flag for guidance.
Pairing System
- Widowers (males): Paired mid-March and allowed to sit on eggs for four days.
- Hens (females): Paired twice in spring, each time for four days—nothing more.
This system has been used successfully for two years.
Darkening & Lighting
Only the hen pigeons are darkened—March through late April. Artificial lighting is provided for both sexes from the longest day through their last race.
Racing Conditions & Self-Release
We race pigeons for heavy middle-distance fly weekly. Only when weather is extremely hot combined with east wind do they choose self-release instead of entering them in a race. Then pigeons are released around 6:00–6:30 AM, which is gentler than transport stress.
When Does Spring Racing Start?
Gregory:
“This year, we released the old pigeons at 8 km in late March. Young pigeons are sometimes released at 3 km, but old pigeons, which train for an hour during the week, don’t need that. Leuven is the furthest we drive for release: exactly 53 km to Mol. The old and yearling pigeons were released there three times, and then raced locally.
When racing, we separate the groups: overnight-flier pigeons are released apart from the others. The heavy middle-distance team’s males and females are released with a 15-minute delay between them. We prefer that they return to their own loft to avoid chaos. If they come back together, so be it—but we try to avoid it.”
Feeding Protocol
Gregory explains:
- Hens train in the morning, and then have 10 minutes of feeding on the rest loft, then move to the aviary until 18:00. After 15 minutes of feeding again, they return to the aviary until dusk, and then go into the sleeping loft.
- Widowers stay in the loft with open home boxes and are fed directly in their box.
He uses a two‑portion feeding method:
- First, a mixture he wants them to fully consume;
- Then a second portion where they can pick whatever they like.
On race basket days, pigeons are together for about an hour (typically between 13:00 and 14:00). Females are then separated until 16:00, fed well, and around 18:00 taken to the basket table. Males follow a similar schedule (together from 13:30 to 14:30). Because of this careful routine, Gregory must re-pair all racing pigeons weekly, unlike the older total-widow system where the sliding board could stay open. Males are allowed freer space during that hour so females have an escape if needed.
Upon arrival home, partners are ready—half in box—and the racing pigeon recovers before being reunited. Females can return via a small opening when they choose. After national races, they stay together a full night and are fed separately in their home boxes.
Extra Work Is Worthwhile
Gregory says:
“Hardly anything is left to chance here. During the key marathon period, heavy / marathon pigeons are released again in the evening at 35 km so they learn to fly longer into dusk. Morning training is also key, early rising can only benefit an overnight race.”
Young pigeons get familiarization with baskets over full weekends, where they stay in the basket with food and water 3–4 consecutive weeks. This reduces stress when they first travel with the club. Earlier he left baskets on the loft; now he places pigeons in baskets off-site.
Top Performers in 2024
NL 23‑9407189 “Corrie”
- 1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Yearlings KBDB 2024 (lowest coefficient ever)
- 4 NAT La Souterraine – 7,368 birds
- 7 NAT Bourges – 18,785 birds
- 7 NAT Bourges – 11,777 birds
- 12 NAT Bourges – 7,617 birds
- 38 Provincial Poitiers – 1,644 birds
Father: NL 18‑1227148 Blue Brave Nikkie – Jan Hooymans, a super breeder — sire of many national top racers.
Grandfather, Grandmother, and more: pedigreed stock with numerous wins and breeding success.
NL 22‑8559120 “Dos Cero”
- 10th National Ace Pigeon Long Distance Yearlings KBDB 2023
- 1 NAT Argenton – fastest of 34,249 birds
- 1 Sermaises – 644 birds
- 20 NAT Libourne – 4,822 birds
- 28 NAT Aurillac – 6,512 birds
- 40 NAT Souillac – 6,085 birds
Pedigree includes New Harry line and other elite performers and breeders.
NL 22‑8559208 “208”
- 1st National Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Old PIPA Ranking over 7 races
- 1 Noyon – 476 birds
- 1 Quievrain – 393 birds
- 2 NAT Châteauroux – 1,723 birds
… and many national top placements.
Sired by Blauw (son of Golden Prince line) and related to New Harry & Alexia lines.
Nutrition & Health
They use Aidi mixtures year-round. After season until the shortest day, they feed “Rui”; then switch to winter/rest diets through spring. From Noyon race onward, they add “flight mix 1‑2‑3”, and for two-night races or flights over 10 hours they add a “Long Distance” mix.
Few supplements: Omega Oil and Protein Plus after return, Health Elixir on Sundays and Mondays, and a fresh garlic bulb daily in drinking water (except in hot weather).
In spring, pigeons receive a tricho treatment, followed by regular garlic use; they rarely have tricho issues. They check respiratory health occasionally with Karlo Van Rompaey and follow his advice for treatment, usually once or twice a year.
Feeding bowls are disinfected every two weeks with bleaching agent to prevent fermentation—hence no peanuts are fed.
Vaccinations:
- Old pigeons: Paramyxo, Paratyphoid, and Pox (all injections).
- Young pigeons: Paramyxo-Rota at weaning, Paratyphoid three weeks later, and Pox a month later using a brush.
Loft
Winners
