Jeroen Kok (62) started with pigeons at the age of 14 by picking up a young pigeon, taking it home, and caring for it. The little creature stayed with him, and one thing led to another; we all know how it goes with pigeon enthusiasts... When he went to study, his passion was put aside for a while, but in the early 1990s, Jeroen continued with his cherished hobby.
However, in 2003, he sold all his pigeons due to the great busyness at work (team leader at a maritime research firm) and within his family. But the blood of pigeon lovers is often extremely stubborn, and in 2015, he eventually picked up the thread again, successfully!
The busy work life, time for the family, and getting the most out of the pigeon sport became increasingly challenging for Jeroen. While pondering a solution, this was brought up with Jan Willem Aalberts, an independent entrepreneur, who was facing the same problem during the conversation. A solution was quickly found, and the combination became a reality. Jan Willem Aalberts has earned his stripes in the pigeon sport ample times, both together with his late uncle - Arend Arends (alias "de kakert") - and independently; they have been a recognized name and a formidable competitor that the top had to take into account.
Focus on Day Races
At the home of Combination Aalberts-Kok (at the address where Jeroen always competed), they play sprint, middle distance, day races, young pigeon flights, and natour, but the focus is on races between 500 and 650 km. The foundation has been formed with pigeons from H. Bussing (Zetten), Mees Doornekamp (Hoevelaken), and vd Kooij (Roelofarendsveen).
In their quest for even better, a unique opportunity arose to elevate the quality of their pigeon stock to an even higher level. Through a good acquaintance of Jeroen, who unfortunately can no longer participate in the pigeon sport, they got in touch with the grandmaster himself, Mr. Ad Schaerlaeckens! About this phenomenon, little need be said and written; a man who has more than earned his stripes in the pigeon sport!
Jeroen and Jan Willem have already drawn from this source three times, and not just "through someone", but directly from the best of the best!
For example, we think of the following pigeons:
- The 20-476 klzn Superbreeder As(2013-235)x daughter Murphys Law(2018-422), a phenomenon at W de Bruijn
- The 23-341 zn First Ace (2017-547)x Angel (2017-758)
- The 22-873 dr 20-190, a phenomenon at the flying loft in Rijkevorsel in recent years!!
- The 21-332 mother of, among others, the 23-674, with a 1,1,2, and 3 prize as a yearling
- The 21-735 dr 2008-250 (half-brother Leeuw) and mother of the 23-724, which as a yearling became 1st pigeon champion sprint, joint collaboration RIE, and 3rd pigeon champion Region 2 and flying area SW.
Furthermore, it must certainly not go unmentioned: a number of pigeons that were not directly acquired from Ad Schaerlaeckens, but from Jeroen vd Kooij. An enthusiast with whom we have been friends for years and whose A.S. pigeons are the foundation of a highly competitive loft!
- The 2019-082 klzn from the 2011-220, a super breeder at Jeroen vd Kooij; he is the father of the 2020-733, which flies a 4th NPO Morlicourt against 8816d, the already mentioned 23-724, but also the 20-732, which flies among others a 77/8861 Morlincourt, 31/2601 Gien, 41/3275 Quievrain, 80/Issoudun, and 109/4729 Quievrain.
- The 2019-084 direct daughter of the 2011-220; she is the mother of the 2022-856, which in 2023 as a yearling became the 15th best day race pigeon in the entire department 8.
Game and System
For feeding, a firm choice is made for the Van Tilburg mixtures (VTB 1, 6, and 51).
The loft comprises about 30 breeding pairs, 30 feeder pairs, 50 old racing pigeons, and around 100 young pigeons from 2 rounds, which are paired around Christmas.
The old racing pigeons are paired at the end of February, allowed to brood for 10 days, and then motivated to total widowhood. They train once a day for about an hour, usually around 5 PM. Between the day races, these are typically flown once at 50 km. For the loft of the hens, there is a run where they are kept outside all day.
The young pigeons are darkened but not separated and are released by Jan Willem around noon. The darkening starts at the end of March until the longest day from 6 AM to 6 PM, and after that, they are illuminated until 10:30 PM. They are educated for the first race about four times, not more in between.
Impressive Results Without Much Frills
Jeroen visits a well-known veterinarian specialized in racing pigeons once every 14 days for checks on trichomoniasis, respiratory diseases, and tail lice. Treatments are only given on advice. This approach has proven to be more than wise because the pigeons performed excellently, with highlights including 1st of over 11,000 pigeons at Etroeungt, a 7th, also from more than 11,000 pigeons at Niergnies, and 4th, 5th, and 6th against 8861 pigeons at Morlincourt. And it didn't stop there; feel free to check the results at the circle, regional, and departmental level at www.afdeling8gou.nl.
