Veldwezelt, a small village that is part of the municipality of Lanaken, located in the province of Limburg and close to the Dutch border. The village has a rural appearance and is surrounded by nature. The city of Maastricht and the nature reserve of the Meuse are also in close proximity.
How it started
Here in Veldwezelt, you will find the husband-wife duo Roox Henri & Betsy, who have been practicing the sport of pigeon racing in true champion style for years. The couple has been involved in pigeon racing since 1996. It started through Henri's father and his brothers. However, it was Henri's cousin who became the main pillar of support, namely Caenen Hubert, whom he could always turn to for advice and assistance. In the beginning, they mainly focused on sprint and small middle distance races, later adding large middle distance races. The lineage was patiently built up with names such as Aussems Richard, Caenen Hubert, Bruninx Roger, Noelmans-Hellinx, Dirix Jean, Geelen Leon, Rondags Gert, Stakenborg Peter & Froyen Sandra & Sven.
System
The breeding pigeons are paired at the end of November, beginning of December. After weaning, the young are darkened due to the light coming in from the street lamps and are supplemented with light from the end of July until the end of the season. When the young are 8 weeks old, they are trained, and from the small middle distance, they are raced on the slide door.
The old pigeons are raced on total widowhood and are paired around February 7. These are also darkened until the end of April. When the weather permits, they are trained starting early March.
Feeding, medication & by-products
The pigeons in Veldwezelt are offered the Beyers Galaxi mixtures. The widowers are fed with a spoon and are gradually fed more as the week progresses. The racing hens are fed together and stay in a loft day and night. They receive the same feed mixture as the widowers but in smaller quantities.
Regarding medication, the aviary door is kept closed as much as possible. Only when the pigeons are not well will the veterinarian be consulted, and his advice will be followed.
As by-products, the range from Comed is given, and apple cider vinegar and brewer’s yeast regularly appear on the menu.
Aviaries
The garden aviaries have a ventilation system at the top. Windbreak mesh is installed in the windows at night, and they are opened during the day.
Due to a unfortunate event in the lives of Henri and Betsy, their entire colony is now on the selling table.
Results and championships
2nd National Champion KBDB GHF Young '18
2nd General Champion KBDB Limburg '09
9th National Champion KBDB GHF Young '24
1st Champion Light Middle Distance Fondclub South-East '24
2nd General Champion Light Middle Distance Fondclub South-East '24
1st General Champion Middle Distance and Fond Hoeselt '24
1st Champion Old Middle Distance and Fond Hoeselt '24
1st Champion Yearling Middle Distance and Fond Hoeselt '24
1st Champion Young Middle Distance and Fond Hoeselt '24
13th National Champion KBDB KHF Young '22
1st Provincial La Souterraine '04
1st Provincial Gien Yearling '07
1st Provincial Orleans Old '08
1st Provincial Orleans Young '12
1st Provincial Orleans Derby Autovlucht Young '12
1st Provincial Gien Old '13
1st Provincial Gien Yearling '15
1st Champion Yearling Most Prizes South Union '24
2nd General Champion Most Prizes South Union '24