Due to a planned move in the summer of 2023, all breeding pigeons and untrained young pigeons from this Ooigem-based Barcelona specialist are now up for auction. Only the racing pigeons will be kept for one more season in hopes of a final stunt next year.
Lineage Development
Hubert, now a vibrant octogenarian, still resides in the magnificent square farmhouse in Ooigem, which he painstakingly rebuilt brick by brick. A remarkable feat that he worked passionately on for many years. In pigeon racing, he has also dedicated decades to carefully developing his own line of top pigeons, aiming to excel in the biggest classic of the year: Barcelona.
Over the years, his own strain, Verbauwhede, has been shaped by several significant performers:
Included are a hen (631/05) and two males (190/01 and 196/01) from Eric Devlaeminck from Hulste, as well as a male from F Descheemaeker, specifically a half-brother of the 1st National Barcelona. From Etienne Devos in Deerlijk came a hen (3000169/97) from his world-famous “Didi” line. Barcelona winners Harinck-Poelmans provided reinforcement from a super breeding pair; among them, two males, 5063248/98 and 214/98, and hen 5297391/96 moved to Ooigem. At Robert Buysse (Ertvelde), the Golden Wing winner 4133596/2003 and hen 4133595/03 were obtained, along with top pigeons from Pol Vervaeck. The introduction of the super strain from Martin Ravelingien proved to be yet another targeted quality boost for Hubert. This resulted in “143/09,” which became the Best pigeon of Belgium in 2015 for Barcelona + Perpignan from the Ravelingien line. It won 9th Nat Barcelona and 121st Nat Perpignan, having previously shone at Valence with a commendable 246th nationally.
System
The young pigeons are always properly trained by Hubert up to the nationals, without pushing or motivating them excessively. Occasionally, there are young pigeons that can rank very early, which is always seen as an initial proof of quality. As yearlings, they are thoroughly tested and all fly Chateauroux, Argenton, Agen, and Narbonne. The 2-year-olds are spared and only fly Agen, for example. From the age of three, the real work begins, heading towards Barcelona and Perpignan.
Racing is always done using traditional widowhood, and on the day of registration, Hubert throws straw in the loft, allowing them to stay together with their hens all day. A Vandenabeele mix is consistently fed during the season, and in the final days, they receive sport feed. Every 4 weeks, a treatment against trichomoniasis is on the menu, and 5 weeks before Barcelona, a preventive course against paratyphoid.
Due to a planned move in the summer of 2023, all breeding pigeons and untrained young pigeons from this Ooigem-based Barcelona specialist are now up for auction. Only the racing pigeons will be kept for one more season in hopes of a final stunt next year. The racing team for 2023 still includes ten 3-year-olds, four 2-year-olds, and eight yearlings. A few extra pigeons were also kept to serve as partners. Let us be clear: a unique opportunity for anyone dreaming of shining on the heavy long-distance races!!