After their top season in 2023, it seemed 2024 was going to crescendo even more for the Noël brothers. They can look back on a successful season with first prizes in Barcelona, Narbonne, and Perpignan, a 56% prize per 3's, and consistently early pigeons on a national level. The reference list is also growing larger, as since their auction debut on Pitts, now 2 years ago, the Noël pigeons have already proven their formidable breeding value at various lofts; Heavy long-distance blood of the highest level and also interesting crossing material if you ask us!
Breeds
Both brothers Wouter (43) and Steven (48) were basically born as pigeon enthusiasts. Father Paul Noël raced speed pigeons, and initially, only this discipline was played at the Noël household. Later, the brothers chose their own paths: Steven focused on speed, while Wouter dedicated himself to heavy long-distance racing. Wouter sought advice from proven enthusiasts like Alberic De Veseleer (Tollembeek): including a son of the 10th Nat Barcelona '17, Daan Roosen (Bocholt), and Uytterhaeghen – Van Dorpe (Balegem). In 2020, the brothers joined forces with the sole objective of International races, and from then on, they compete from Gijzegem. Since then, good results have also been achieved with the input of a hen from Peter Bours (Averbode), a doffer from Pierre Coppens (Moorsel), and 3 pigeons from Reginald Lievens from Smetlede. The breeds Jellema (including 3 grandchildren "Zwart Goud," 2 grandchildren Klein Kweekstertje, and recently 2 grandchildren Jill and a grandson OMG430) and Arjan Beens (including grandson "Frankenstein" x "Golden Future" and grandson "Dancing Moonlight") have been added, which already show nice results.
System
Around December 7, the 23 breeding pairs are matched, which provide 2 rounds of approximately 40 young pigeons each. With about 35 widow (male) pigeons and 45 flying hens, the preference is given to international flights. The flying team does not undergo winter breeding; they race in the summer on eggs and are preferably basketed at breeding. There is no mention of darkening among the Noël brothers, but the young pigeons do receive some supplemental light from August 1 until the last training flight to keep them adequately feathered. These young pigeons are simply kept together and generally do not nest. In recent years, they were trained to Noyon or Sermaises and subsequently flew until the end of the year Quiévrain and the Round of Belgium to gain experience. Later, as yearlings and adults, they are first transported individually and subsequently raced with the club from Quiévrain through Noyon and Sermaises to the preparatory flights on the heavy semi-long distance.
Medical and Nutrition
Before and after the season, a check is done by Vincent Schroeder and treatment is administered according to the results of the examination. During the season, a general check is performed by veterinarian Van Den Broeck in Lebbeke, who also takes care of the vaccinations against paramyxovirus. Treatment is also administered if deemed necessary on his advice. Furthermore, the pigeons are vaccinated against the pox and paratyphoid every year.
On the nutrition side, up to the semi-long distance, a mixture of half purification and half moult is given. From the heavy semi-long distance onwards, this becomes half moult and half diet, and in the last days before basketting, an extra fat-rich mixture, all from dealer Van Extergem in Appels and Paloma.
Additionally, Aviol is regularly added to the water, and after the flight, protein powder and electrolytes are provided for a smooth recovery.
Results
In 2021, they started with an inexperienced team of mainly yearlings and 2-year-olds and participated for the first time in all 7 International flights. The loft is still under development, but they can already look back with satisfaction on some very successful seasons, highlighted by the 1st Provinciaal Narbonne Yearlings in 2023. In 2024, they were back as the ones to beat with locally 3 first prizes and a 56% prize per 3's, and also at the national level, early pigeons were consistently recorded. The old hens performed particularly well.
Results 2024
- Pau, 55d: 3,7,9,15,17,19 (6/7), national, 3368d: 180,423,568 (3/7)
- Agen old, 172d: 6,13,14,20,31,37,38,40 (8/15), national, 6435d: 172,395,421,758,1358,1543,1601 (7/15)
- Barcelona, 148d: 1,9 (2/4), national, 6310d: 119,923 (2/4)
- Dax, 44d: 13 (1/5)
- Marseille, 43d: 3,5,9 (3/4), national, 2082d: 112,258,425 (3/4)
- Narbonne old, 94d: 1,11,24 (3/4), national, 4983d: 72,729 (2/4)
- Perpignan, 145d: 1,3,23 (3/6), national, 4850d: 29,175 (2/6)
Locally this year results in 3 victories, 25/45 or 56% prize/3's and 22% prize/10's.
Nationally: 19/45, 42% per 4's and 20% per 10's.
Internationally: 18/45, 40% per 4's and 20% per 10's.
International old Hens: 22/33, 67% per 4's and 24% per 10's.
They also received some beautiful references
- Den Bonten (519/22) was able to show this season at Eric Van Hauwermeiren from Berlare what he was worth on the heavy long distance. He consistently went into the basket as the first recorded pigeon and thanked for the trust with results in LVA, Lede on Agen 7/140 (timed at 21:42) and on Perpignan 2/90 (timed at 21:47). Each time timed late in the evening on the day of release. Nationally, this was good for 256/6435 Agen and 73/4850 Perpignan. Den Bonten (519/22) was acquired on a voucher with us and is the nest brother of Young Sparrow (520/22): 1st Provinciaal, 10th National, and 12th International Narbonne 2023 and thus a son of De Spreeuw (9th Nat Perpignan 2019).
- Blondeel Joeri from Lede made a dream debut with his yearlings at the heavy long distance. In the challenging flight from Narbonne, they flew in Baasrode 4,5,6,8,10,19,24,27,30,34 (10/15) out of 100 yearlings. At least 1 of the parents of these yearlings was bred by us and purchased at our auction on Pitts.
Super breeding hen 270/16 and brother 850/16, both directly obtained from Daan Roosen (Bocholt), run as a common thread throughout the colony. Matched together, they are the parents of De Spreeuw (476/17) with 9th National Perpignan 2019. In turn, De Spreeuw is the mother of the aforementioned Young Sparrow and Den Bonten.
270/16 is also the (gr)mother of:
- Saartje (608/22): 1st Narbonne (72nd Nat) '24, 2nd Narbonne (42nd Nat) '23, candidate 1st National As Dove Narbonne '23-'24, 1st International As Dove hens '23-'24, and 2nd International As Dove '23-'24.
- 431/19: 3/97 Pau '21, 323/3600 nat Pau '21, 4/36 Marseille '21, 103 Nat Marseille '21, 3/34 Marseille '22, 7/74 Pau '23, 6/39 Marseille '23
- 216/21: 2/60 Perpignan '23, 238 Nat, 20/74 Pau '23, 3/55 Pau '24, 180 Nat
850/16 is also the father of:
- 462/19: 2/74 Pau '23, 86 Nat, 10/106 Perpignan '21, 459th Nat (timed 5:36 in the dark and in the rain), 40/147 Agen '21
- 249/21: 1st Barcelona 2024, 119th Nat, 27/88 Narbonne '23, 20/116 Agen '23, 991 Nat
- 175/21: 6/60 Perpignan '23, 353 Nat, 36/255 Agen '22, 17/55 Pau '24