'Sabrina Brugmans' or the married couple Stefan Machiels and Sabrina Brugmans. Stefan can be safely called a professional based on the performance of his pigeons. Every year he manages to achieve top results and every year this name is found among the national champions.

And so it is this year:

• 1st national ace pigeon heavy middle distance KBDB
• 1st national ace pigeon light middle distance KBDB
• 1st national ace pigeon all-round KBDB young pigeon

Every week the loft takes part in 5 or 6 races. Halen belongs to the province of Limburg, right on the border with the province of Flemish Brabant, and can therefore choose between several programs. Two to three short distance races per weekend and two middle distance races, then also difficult middle distance and of course the national races up to Limoges, Brive and Tulle.  At the beginning all the pigeons are 'trained' on the short distance and after a few weeks the pigeons are divided into groups. Sometimes there are weekends where they score with three or four victories. It is a true 'all-round stock' from 100 km to 600 km.

For a few years Stefan has been a super fan of the Röhnfried products, which ensure that the pigeons last much longer and they are better able to reach the top!

A good schedule

If you want to score at a certain level throughout the season, you have to use a good schedule and good products. That's why they get an addition to their drinking water and feed. In recent years, with high temperatures and changing weather conditions, the pigeons have needed this more than ever. All year round, all pigeons find Avidress Plus in their drinking water. Every morning they receive fresh grit and licking stones. This is the basis and the breeding pigeons receive Gervit-W and mineral drink three to four times a week.

The plan for the hens

Before the season, the hens receive Witches' Beer and Breath Free + Avimycin for a longer period of time,  so that they get into good basic condition. In hot weather and races of more than 400 km, they are given Rotosal almost daily, in combination with Carni-Speed. Stefan always has the impression that the pigeons train better when he uses it. To improve the bronchi and the climate in the attic, the compartments are sprayed twice a week with Bio Air Fresh.

Best results 2024

11/05 Sens (323 km) against 9,487 pigeons:  4-16-17-18-25-26-32-36… (42/48)

08/06 Sens (332 km) against  3,305 pigeons:    8-10-23-26-877-122-274… (7/7)

23/06 Sancoins (483 km) against 9,753 pigeons:    5-32-57-193-368-495-690-.. (8/10)

06/07 Gien (403 km) against 1,724 pigeons:   1-3-4-37-107-126-135-...(8/10)

14/07 Lorris (389 km) against 2,083 pigeons:  1-3-7-116-196-206-…. (7/8)

10/08 Bourges (495 km) against 5,529 pigeons:  .  9-39-41-51-68-93-125-185... (12/12)

18/08 Vierzon (467 km) against 5,780 pigeons:  2-9-13-15-24-28-35-42-58….(14/14)

The sensational successes can be attributed to Stephan Machiels and Sabrina Brugmans. Year after year they manage to achieve provincial and national victories. Their home town of Halen is in the province of Limburg and is right on the border with Flemish Brabant. For this reason they can take part in 5 to 6 races every week, starting from the short distance to the difficult middle distance. At the beginning of the season, however, all pigeons are first trained on short distance flights.

Stephan, are there any special features in your loft?

“We only compete with around 60 hens in the adult bird races. The birds are only competed as young birds. But this year in particular our young birds achieved super top prices in the young bird races. For 60 racing hens, 20 birds are available. At the beginning of April, the females are divided into three groups and each female is paired with a bird for around 5 days. So that the females are a little calmer and do not moult so early, they are darkened from the end of February to the end of May. This means that the females can be played here in Halen without any problems until the end of August.”

What do you provide for the racing females and young pigeons?

“We see an important component in the provision of Avidress Plus and UsneGano. We add this combination to the drinking water of all pigeons all year round. When the pigeons come home from a prize flight, there is always Hessechol in the drinking trough. During difficult flights and high temperatures, the pigeons receive Rotosal with Carni-Speed ​​every day. We have found that this allows the pigeons to train even more in the loft and get into even better shape. We also regularly use Bio-Air-Fresh in the lofts, which has a positive effect on the respiratory tract. For the young pigeons, we use products that have a positive effect on the intestines and digestion. Here we no longer want to do without Moorgold, Entrobac, immune booster, energy oil and the herb-vegetable mix. We also use RO200 Ready to ensure top form. We regularly add this to the feed with the energy oil.”

Stephan, who was your absolute racing ace this year?

“Clearly “This Britt”. She will be 1st national ace pigeon heavy middle distance KBDB old pigeons 2023 this year, with top prices.”