In the pigeon racing world, the name Hannes Van Droogenbroeck is becoming increasingly prominent. This 'up-and-coming' enthusiast from the Dender region has big ambitions, but was forced to put his great dream on hold. The reason? Taking over the family business, which has been running for four generations. As a result, he couldn’t find time to compete with his pigeons in 2024, and most of his pigeons were auctioned last year. However, one thing is certain: the quality of his breeding loft remains impressive, and he continues to strengthen his collection with targeted acquisitions daily!
A Passion Born at a Young Age
Hannes, who works as a painter in the family business, was practically born into the world of pigeon racing. At a very young age, he was introduced to the sport through his grandfather. However, the major breakthrough came in 2004 when his neighbor, Nestor De Saedeleer (father of Anja), gifted him a round of young pigeons. From that moment on, Hannes was hooked. From just four of these young pigeons, several first-prize winners in Noyon quickly emerged.
Aiming for Greater Challenges
It wasn’t enough for Hannes to focus solely on sprint races. His ambition to compete at longer distances led to reinforcements from renowned names such as Moens W & B, Eric Limbourg, Astere Vergotte, and Marc Vanonckelen. This set the stage for a transition from sprint races to middle-distance races and even the prestigious Barcelona flight, where he secured an impressive 8th place in Viane in 2021.
Intensive Training and a Strict Method
Despite his busy work schedule, Hannes breeds around 130 young pigeons at the beginning of December each year. The training of these youngsters is rigorous, with 15 to 20 training tosses covering distances ranging from 1 km to Quiévrain. These training sessions usually take place between 4 and 5 p.m. after his workday.
The youngsters are darkened from March 1st to June 21st (15 hours per day, gradually reducing in the last week). After that, they are given extra light from early July until the last national race. The youngsters are raced using the sliding door system, with separate approaches for widowers and racing hens. Before the season begins, the widowers and racing hens are allowed to brood for seven days, preparing them for the season. Hannes uses both classic widowhood (for cocks) and total widowhood (for hens). For the last national races, he switches to racing pigeons on nests.
A Change in Nutrition and Trust in Professional Guidance
In terms of nutrition, Hannes made a significant shift. While he initially used the Beyers Galaxy system, he switched to AIDI in 2023. For supplements and other products, he trusts the Bonyfarma brand, to which he extends his gratitude.
Regarding the health of his pigeons, Hannes relies on veterinarian Peter Boskamp. He schedules a check-up before the breeding season and at the beginning of the racing season. During the season, Hannes monitors his pigeons' health himself using a microscope and disinfects them as needed after each race.
Looking to the Future
Due to the takeover of the family business and a packed schedule, Hannes had to temporarily scale back his pigeon racing activities. Nevertheless, he remained determined and kept a small number of youngsters born in August. He has now found a suitable candidate to take care of his pigeons full-time. With this new addition, he is hopeful for a fresh start in 2025, where he plans to fully resume his passion for pigeon racing.
Conclusion: An Ambitious Plan for 2025
Although Hannes Van Droogenbroeck had to adjust his ambitions temporarily in recent years, he shows that true passion never fades. With his focus on exclusive pigeons and a clear strategy for the future, Hannes is on the brink of a new beginning. Starting in 2025, we can expect great things from him once again.
Until the next blog,
Jan de Wijs
The Real Pigeon Boss
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