Introducing Bert Penne is like kicking open a door, as the man has belonged for years to the Grand Cru of pigeon racing in the Dender region. With the support of his parents Raoul and Rita, a path has been carved to the absolute top of Belgium.
As references, this year no less than 38 first prizes have been won, culminating in 1st national zone and 5th National at Chateauroux.
This translated into the championships of 2023 as:
- 7th Prov Ace Pigeon KBDB Heavy Middle Distance Yearlings
- 8th Prov Champion KBDB Heavy Middle Distance
- 10th Prov Champion KBDB Small Middle Distance
- 1st Champion Young 1+2+3 Young Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 1st Champion Yearlings 1+2+3 Heavy Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 1st Super Ace Pigeon Young Noyon Zandbergen
- 2nd Super Ace Pigeon Young Noyon Zandbergen
- 2nd Champion Young 1+2+3 Noyon Zandbergen
- 2nd General King 1+2+3 Denderbond Ninove
- 2nd Champion Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 2nd Ace Pigeon Middle Distance Yearlings Denderbond Ninove
- 2nd Ace Pigeon Heavy Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 3rd King 1+2+3 Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 3rd Champion 1+2+3 Yearlings Denderbond Ninove
- 3rd Champion 1+2+3 Old Denderbond Ninove
- 3rd King Heavy Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
- 3rd Champion 1+2+3 Old Heavy Middle Distance Denderbond Ninove
Some top performers that excelled this year:
“Rita” BE4044258-23
1st/3642 Noyon (158km), 1st/2867 Noyon, 1/2278 Noyon
“Mister Soixante neuf” BE4068369-22 (doffer)
1/290 Toury (331km), 4/488 Toury, 4/239 Toury, 13th/421 Toury, 17th/1136 Toury, 22nd/2178,
Toury, 231st/3098 Ecouen (231km)
“Miss Chateauroux” BE2017318-22 (Duivin) 7 Prov. Ace pig. K.B.D.B East-Flanders 2023
1 Ace Pigeon MLD 2022
1 Nat Z Chateauroux/ 5th/2331 Nat. Chateauroux (478km), 5th/441 Montoire (410km), 15th/831 Nat
Z Argenton (441km), 24/492 Orleans (357km), 24/488 Toury (331km), 26/397 Argenton (504km),
118/2224 Nat Z Bourges (424km), 139/3426, Noyon (158km)
In 2022 she also flew:
7/2256 Toury (331km), 8/256 Montoire (410km), 9/1375 Sermaises (312km), 18/1565 Orleans,
(357km)
“Witpen Orleans” BE4068407-22 (Duivin)
1/876 Orleans (357km), 8/295 Vierzon (424km), 11/1600 Argenton (504km) 16/397 Argenton
(504km), 33/488 Toury (331km), 34/505 Chateauroux (473km), 43/526 Bourges (424km)
In 2022 she flew as a young:
10/2256 Toury (331km), 11/256 Montoire (410km), 23rd/7093 Prov Orleans (357km), 119th/4304 Nat
Z Chateauroux (478km)
“Miss D'Hoker” BE4065303-22
3/526 Bourges (424km), 3rd/2809 Nat Z Chateauroux (473km), 10/397 Argenton (504km), 12/1326
Orleans (357km), 12/1099 Toury (331km), 43/1178 Sermaises (312km), 96/1420 Sermaises
(312km), 206/2256 Toury (331km)
“Den 22” BE4065322-22 (Duivin)
3/198 Toury (331km), 6/169 Noyon (158km), 17/1326 Orleans (357km), 19/410 Toury, 21/258
Toury, 25/454 Toury, 42/488 Toury, 92/1136 Toury, 136/2178 Toury
This one flew in 2022:
18/1285 Sermaises (312km), 51/757 Sermaises, 182/2188 Noyon (158km), 236/4304 Prov
Chateauroux (478km)
The breeding loft
After the cowardly theft of the breeding pigeons in 2020, the Penne family was forced to move the 11 best flying pigeons to the breeding loft. This base mainly consists of the line of Het Bordeauken, Greipel, and a breeding male from Herbots-Heller. The young born from this, supplemented with pigeons from Bosmans R&G, Bart Bassez, Jo Ronsijn, and Alain D’Hoker, provide a strong foundation.
Nutrition and Care
The feeding schedule mainly uses the Galaxy mixtures from the Beyers company. Further, there is a massive focus on recovery and as general support, especially the range from Winners is called upon. Winchol, Probacto, Finol, Energie Start Forte, Broncholyt, and Entero Plus are administered regularly and are among the health products used throughout the year according to the season and the racing program.
Additionally, medical guidance is provided by Ludo Thijs, with whom there is weekly consultation. The pigeons are also regularly checked by him.
The racing system
This year, 23 hens and 23 cocks were started in total widowhood. The pigeons participate every week, and if a week must be skipped, due to a heavy flight for example, they are still flown a few times during the week to stay in condition. The motto here is: rust roest….
Due to setbacks and the accompanying losses, great caution has been exercised this year in training the young pigeons. Unlike previous years, they were primarily used for Noyon, and not without success. The results were so satisfactory that there is even consideration for retaining a loft for these sprint flights next year.
After a thorough selection, everything is now geared towards allowing the pigeons to undergo a perfect molt. After that, a short rest period follows for the pigeons and their caregivers to prepare everything for breeding by the end of the year.
The year 2023 can be considered one of the best years for the Penne family. With his 38 first prizes, this will be difficult to equal, but ambitions will not diminish for that reason. There is now great anticipation for 2024!