Chris Debacker (Beveren-Leie) 1st Prov. Argenton (WVL) 4,396 yearlings 2nd National 17,210 yearlings - 3rd fastest of 30,318b.

We speak to a very happy Chris Debacker as we congratulate him on his provincial win from Argenton. But we also felt a slight disappointment that it was again, already for the 3rd time in his career, a 2nd place national. Fortunately, the impressive record of this West-Flemish top colony is already decorated with a national victory from Gueret otherwise this 2nd place would certainly have a bitter aftertaste.
The provincial victory was won by cock " Hein" (B22-3026489). "Hein", played according to the system of total widowhood (his hen was also basketed for Argenton) has already achieved top performances and was born into a family of winners as his brother was crowned 15th national ace pigeon KBDB.

Beware of too hot weather
Chris tells his story: "Last WE only basketed for Argenton national, which was already raced on Friday. Because of the warm temperatures and the many thunderstorm threats in France, no pigeons were basketed. Neither old/yearlings nor youngsters saw the inside of a basket and looking back I am glad I took this decision because most flights were anything but smooth. Next WE will again follow the weather forecasts very closely and in case of too warm temperatures we will pass again. I have the impression that a pigeon would rather fly in the cold than in the heat. For now, the 2023 season is going more than satisfactory. Weekly early pigeons and nice "chain results" make us hope for the best for the rest of the season."
We had noticed that Chris has been at the basketing table since the first flights and as we have had a wet and cold spring we asked if he had done anything special to maintain fitness. Chris "my method is just the same as previous years. It was recently explained on the Herbots website in an extensive article. Medically, before the season the racers did have a 7-day ornithosis cure with a product from vet Schroeder and during the season there are the weekly eye and "yellow" drops.

 

Teamwork 
Chris is a school director by profession and if you know that, we probably shouldn't draw the conclusion that he alone cannot take care of an extensive racing team of widowers, racing hens and youngsters. Fortunately, he can count on the daily support of Wim Dewitte, Roger Simoens and Piet Vanwonterghem. 
Chris himself chalks the lines in which football is played. He determines the strategy. Chris daily prepares the feed for all pigeons and he trains the old and yearling cocks before and after his day's work. During the WE he takes on all the tasks and in between he also keeps all the administration. 
Wim Dewitte visits the pigeons every afternoon after his day's work around 15h30. He takes care of the pigeons in the aviaries in the afternoon. He also trains the hens at 16h30. He cleans the lofts of the hens and breeders. On Saturday mornings he is the early bird who helps to give everything an extra polish. The weekly bath for the pigeons is also on his account.
Roger Simoens is on post daily (if Chris has to work) at 7.30am. He takes care of the aviaries in the morning. Roger also trains the youngsters. He helps train the youngsters, calls them in. He cleans the cages of the youngsters. Every week, he makes the list of how to enter the pigeons. He usually enters the pigeons together with Piet and is of course a loyal letter.
Piet Vanwonterghem is the man in charge of all transport. He takes the young and the old away to teach them. Piet also retrieves lost pigeons. He is also the recruiter on duty. If pigeons have to be delivered, that is also Piet's job. For small or large repairs or building work on the lofts, Piet is the technical service.


Base birds
Like many of us, Chris learned the craft at speed. Chris says: "My first and real teacher was Georges Busschaert. The older readers will remember this name and for those who have contact with English fanciers, the name Busschaert will certainly not sound unfamiliar to their ears, because Georges acquired a "world name" across the pond. I was a caretaker with Georges for 3 years. 
In 1991 I got married and started here at the current location. My first really good pigeons came from Stevens-Luyten from Nijlen. An "inside runner" brought me into contact with them. As thanks I got 6 youngsters and honestly, they were all super!
When I switched to middle-distance, I contacted Rik Cools. It clicked immediately and a "Daughter Bieke", "Daughter Bontje" and "Daughter Kim" gave me a lot of pleasure. 
In 2004, the Cools-Blancke tandem broke up and then I bought a full round from their racers including "Emma" and Dorien.
Out of daughter "Bieke" x speedsters, "Lambiek" was born and she became the 1st pigeon with a provincial win in 2002. Sister "Lambiek" ("Natascha") x son "Emma" ("Nick") became the foundation pair of the colony. They became the parents of many good pigeons including "Panamarenko" with 7 x 1st prize, "Staf" was 3rd prov. and grandfather of "Serosero" of Anthony Maes and the "Bonte Crack" with 1st nat. Ace long distance. Also "Stuart", "Randi" and "Salomez".
In the course of the years, the above breeds were reinforced with pigeons from Gaby Vandenabeele (Dentergem), Willy Vanhoutte (Wevelgem), Georges Soenens (Beveren-Leie), Verschoot Joël (Ingelmunster), Deprez and with the latest contribution from Willem De Bruijn (Reeuwijk).


 The golden breeding pairs
Many fanciers praise the Lord if they have 1 unique breeding pair in their loft at some point in their lives. By a unique breeding pair we mean a breeding pair that makes its mark over several generations. A breeding pair where the input of new breeding lines usually catches on like the best butter on a freshly baked slice of bread. 
Chris is lucky to have not 1 but 2 such unique breeding couples at his disposal, and we are talking about "Salomé" x "Janine" and "Georges" x "Mieke". 

Stefan Mertens