Aldenhoven – The strengtening westerly wind resulted in the winner and lead flyers from the International Pau to be clocked well over 1,500 meters per minute. It also meant that the winner was to be found on the east side of the field of participants. The nose of the car was pointed in the direction of Aachen in Germany… and there we found the family Freialdenhoven from Aldenhoven, fully enjoying their magnificent international victory from Pau!

Pigeon sport as a family sport applies more to this family than anywhere else. Both father Heinz-Jozef… and his sons Heiko and Dirk… and mother Käte are passionate long-distance fanciers.

Father Heinz-Jozef learnt the pigeon sport in 1949 from his uncle and in 1978 his two sons joined him at the helm of the pigeon colony.
At first, they entered their pigeons in the speed and middle-distance races, but in 1991, they purposefully changed to the long-distance and the extra long-distance.

The base of their long-distance colony was acquired from successful fanciers like Albert Simons from Roosteren… the Saya Brothers from Maastricht… Vandepoel-Buckley from Geetbets… and Wijnands and Son from Maastricht. Also in all this long-distance glory we musn’t forget the input of a Vanbruaene hen by way of the small fancier Willy Muntt. The pigeons of these long-distance champions were interbred and straight away it was bingo!
Entering in lots of races and making a rigorous selection is the unwritten law of Freialdenhoven & Sons. Prisoners are not kept here and that is why they opted for total widowhood.

 

The 2012 season was started with a team of 70 cocks and 40 hens… of which 40 were old birds. With these they also have 150 young pigeons and 38 breeding couples.
The racing pigeons are coupled at the end of February for the first time and they brood for 5 days. The second pairing is done mid April, after which they sit again for 5 days. Then the nests are removed and the entire racing team starts on widowhood.

During the winter months the pigeons do not leave the loft in Aldenhoven at all.

In between two extra long-distance classics there is a rest period of three weeks. On the day of return the pigeons are fed with a light mixture, and on the following days they get 75% energy mixture + 25% super diet. The last three days before basketing sunflower seed is added to the mixture.
During the preparations for the next race the birds get vitamins… Pigeon Tea Special… and Belgasol. The last two days brewer’s yeast… oils… and Belgaform are added to the feed. Letting the long-distance racers recuperate quickly and effectively is a clear message.

Early April there was a 5-day treatment against trichomonas (tricho groen from Norbert Peeters), and another ‘course’ with Ornispecial (de Weerd) against bronchial infections. After the race from Bourges at the end of May, they were treated for a second time against tricho (Rudi Hendrikx).

The name of the international Pau winner is ‘Forrest Junor’ (06348-10-616). This is a blue two year old cock of average performance… but with a striking beauty. He has brilliant ‘glass eyes’… is a wringer in the hand… has a good wing and until this moment, he has cast only one flight.
He already started to show promise last year with 28th international Bordeaux… but with his 1st International Pau against 8,399 old birds of last weekend he is now the focal point for Freialdenhoven & Sons!

Hugo