In 2000, Magda and Johny Jonckers won 1st and 2nd National Bourges against 22,851 pigeons. It was their “Blauwe Jan” (B98-2184824) that placed his ring number at the very top of the results. Now, 26 years later, they have struck gold again. “Den Argenton” (B25-2084133) is the fastest among 22,311 yearling pigeons competing from Argenton. In between, in 2011, they were also honored as 1st National Champion KBDB Great Middle Distance, and their “801” became the West European Ace Pigeon and may currently be regarded as the foundation sire of the loft. “In recent years, our performances have been somewhat less impressive,” Johny explains. “What do you expect—we are both in our eighties, and our health is not always at its best.” “A heart attack was overcome successfully, but an epileptic seizure has certainly left its mark.” “However, together with my wife Magda, we fought through it, and this national victory gives us both tremendous joy and is something we will celebrate properly with our family.” “Our foundation is still the same, namely a combination of original Vandenabeele, Verbruggen, and Engels pigeons.” “My national winner is also based on these bloodlines, but the mother is an original hen from Chris Debacker (Beveren-Leie).” “She is the nest sister of the 4th National Ace Pigeon KBDB Great Middle Distance Young Birds.” “She was initially on loan, but in the meantime Chris has allowed me to keep her permanently.”

With 16 Widowhood Cocks

“I do not keep any old pigeons,” Johny says as we enter the widowhood loft together. “I started the season with 23 yearling cocks, and that is more than enough.” “At the moment, there are still 16 left in the lofts.” “The National Bourges race took its toll on my inexperienced team of yearlings.” “But 16 ‘soldiers’ are more than enough to go to the proverbial war, because my health no longer allows me to manage more.” “I like to take care of everything meticulously, and if I have too many pigeons, I can no longer do that properly.” “What I did notice was that during the last few days my widowhood cocks showed signs of top condition.” “Their plumage became tighter, they ate more eagerly, and they trained exactly as they should.” “Although only 16 pigeons were training, they flew everywhere with the necessary determination and spirit.” “I could see that things were going well, but of course I never imagined a national victory.” “Besides the national victory, we also won 12th National and achieved 8 prizes from the 12 yearling pigeons entered, counted per group of four.” “As for feeding, I follow the Van Robaeys ‘Revolution Gamma’ feeding program, supplemented during the last few days with ‘Top Energy’.” “In the drinking water, I add ‘Daflor’ almost daily together with a clove of garlic.” “From a medical point of view, I consult veterinarian Vincent Schroeder.”

Magda and Johny, enjoy your second national victory, and who knows what a team in top condition may still achieve.

We sincerely wish you all the very best.

"Den Argenton"
BE25-2084133

1st National Argenton 22,311 yearbirds

Distance: 535km
Velocity: 1,553.26 m/m

Stefan Mertens