Sabrina Brugmans and Stephan Machiels are a successful duo and a real role model for the pigeon sport. In addition to super performances that they delivered, in recent years they have won races on distances of 100 to 600 km. This is evidenced by multiple victories, both in provincial and national championships, from ace pigeon races to general championships. If you want to become champion, you must arrive first to claim victory!

How it all began

Even as a small boy, Stephan had been infected with the "pigeon virus". He took his first steps into the sport together with his father Adolf, but he was just as enthusiastic about football. His father would never have thought that Stephan would become a "real" pigeon sportsman. In 2000 Stephan and Sabrina got married. A week later his father died unexpectedly. To honor his father and to prove to him that his passion for the pigeon sport was genuine, they started racing the pigeons at Halen in the name of his wife Sabrina Brugmans. They started with his father's old base and initially also received pigeons from their friend Valère Machiels (already a good friend of Stephan's parents, same family name but not related). Today, Valère still regularly helps out in the loft and has always remained a breeder deep in his heart. Later they also knocked on the doors of pigeon fanciers in their area, like Roger Buvens and Hermans-Bonné (after that they also breed together with these two tandems). Next came support from Gaston Van de Wouwer.

The breeding loft is the basis of all success

The breeding loft is the basis of all success

The breeding loft is the basis of all success

The eye theory: In breeding, he follows the well-known eye signs. He prefers pigeons with a complete value ring, well pigmented ones Eyes (the colors must lay flat as if painted with a brush would be applied). If he brings the breeding pairs together, he prefers the color compensation: a pigeon with one white eye will have one paired with yellow eyes. It rarely happens that he has two pigeons mated with the same eye color. He also tries when it comes to physique ensure that possible negative characteristics by each other pigeon to be compensated.

Supply of pigeons

The eye theory: In breeding, he follows the well-known eye signs. He prefers pigeons with a complete value ring, well pigmented ones Eyes (the colors must lay flat as if painted with a brush would be applied). If he brings the breeding pairs together, he prefers the color compensation: a pigeon with one white eye will have one paired with yellow eyes. It rarely happens that he has two pigeons mated with the same eye color. He also tries when it comes to physique ensure that possible negative characteristics by each other pigeon to be compensated. Avidress plus and UsneGano. A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used Gervit W . A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used Grit and Tasty stone. A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used Hessechol . A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used Rotosal . A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used Carni-speed . A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used

. A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used . A lot of the multivitamin complex is also used misted, which has a positive effect on the birds' bronchial tubes and improves the air in the loft for both the breeder and his feathered friends. Another basic principle is the weekly bath. He prefers it here too Bath salts misted, which has a positive effect on the birds' bronchial tubes and improves the air in the loft for both the breeder and his feathered friends. Another basic principle is the weekly bath. He prefers it here too

misted, which has a positive effect on the birds' bronchial tubes and improves the air in the loft for both the breeder and his feathered friends. Another basic principle is the weekly bath. He prefers it here too

Sabrina Brugmans is known as a specialist in the game of females. The males only have to take part in races in their year of birth. In 2020, Sabrina and Stephan had a team of 55 old and year old females divided into two compartments. Important: Each compartment has an open aviary. According to Stephan, oxygen is a very important aspect in this sport and ensures the health of the pigeons. In addition, the females get a free bath in these aviaries every week, which they really like.

The daily training flights begin in mid-February. as soon as that Weather gets better, they'll be back through some short training flights brought into rhythm. Only after making three short trips (Momignies 120 km) have flown, the first group of 20 hens will be mated. These can join 20 available birds. For the group of 55 females, Stephan uses only 20 males. This system has been since successfully for a few years, so there is no reason to change it. After the third short-haul flight, the first 20 females can Time of their arrival in the loft (on Saturday) to Wednesday at these 20 birds remain. In the next week the other 20 females are on the series. A week later, the remaining 15 females can join join their partners. He uses colored clips to define the groups to be able to distinguish with certainty.

At the beginning of the competition season, the females train once a day, namely in the evening. When the weather gets warmer, they train in the morning and in the evening for about an hour.

At the beginning of the competition season, the females train once a day, namely in the evening. When the weather gets warmer, they train in the morning and in the evening for about an hour.

Usually the females go into blackout from March 1st to early May. But in the 2020 season, they stayed there until they were allowed to enter France. The blackout lasts from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. She ensures that the group's moult is delayed and the animals become calmer. This way they don't lose too much energy. After that they have to follow the rhythm of the middle and difficult middle distance. In the loft, the females always move freely in tight hen cells with rubber bands on the floor to prevent them from mating with each other. Stephan and Sabrina stick to this system throughout the season. Additional training flights are not on their schedule. If they notice that one female wants to mate with another, that doesn't matter either. The lesbian couple even get a nesting bowl. In this way, he has already achieved more than one provincial-level victory and national top results.

Vaccinations & Cure

With a top colony, one often wonders which medicinal ones treatment the birds receive. Here Stephan and Sabrina trust her vet Vincent Schroeder completely. On his advice her touring crew every year against paratyphoid with Para Colie capsules or Baytril, which is added to their drinking water. Then the pigeons are vaccinated. This happens at the end of January early February. Then, at the beginning of March, they are vaccinated against Paramyxo, followed by a preventive treatment with Tricho Green.

A good vaccination plan for the young animals: For medical care also include the prevention and protection of the youngsters by various vaccinations. When the young birds are about four weeks old, they are against Paramyxo, Herpes and Adeno vaccinated. About three weeks later again a vaccination against paramyxo and the rotavirus. Another three Weeks later, they receive their vaccination against smallpox.

Jungtierreise

Stephan and Sabrina are well-known "young bird specialists". Every year they ring about 120 youngsters who are very well prepared for the national races. As already mentioned, at the beginning they work hard to build up a good immunity of the pigeons (vaccination schedule). Here, too, they give Avidress Plus and UsneGano every day, along with fresh grit. In the loft of young birds, Moorgold is often used in combination with Entrobac. Both products have a positive effect on the intestines and ensure good digestion. You can quickly tell by the dry and solid droppings. The youngsters are kept in the dark from March to mid-June, from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. They are then exposed until 10:30 p.m. and from 5:30 a.m. in the morning. The youngsters are separated by a sliding door. But every year he also has a group of young females that are mated with old birds, which gives extra motivation.

At the beginning of the season, the youngsters are fed once a day opened. But if they get separated again in early July, they can train twice a day. From then on: training, eating, training, Eat... Actually, they only have to build up energy and that Breeders must ensure that they do their best. the Young animals must be basketed every week. you graduate no additional training flights in between (but you have to do twice exercise daily at home). About ten young animals are only on the Played short distances, the others have to be on the small to heavy ones Start middle distances. If you work hard, you should eat well, that's why Stephan feeds them several times a day. When they are after their training flights return to the loft, they receive sugar seeds and Peanuts.

On the day of basketing, when they return home from practice, he feeds them lightly. The males and females come for about two Hours together in the famous motivation cells. After that they will Cut. This will make you calmer. In this way you can greatly feed well with (shelled) peanuts, and they come up with "stuffed". goiter” in the basket.

On the day of basketing, when they return home from practice, he feeds them lightly. The males and females come for about two Hours together in the famous motivation cells. After that they will Cut. This will make you calmer. In this way you can greatly feed well with (shelled) peanuts, and they come up with "stuffed". goiter” in the basket.

Taking into account the temperature - the pigeons are no more basketed when the temperature rises above 30 °C. Because of the heat are some top pigeons like "Fien" - 8th national ace pigeon KBDB'19 actually lost. This season she finished first in Melun provincial competition against 10,000 pigeons. If you are at one take part in a race, they also want to win. Any competition is equal, no excuses.

The combination of immune booster with Moorgold and/or Entrobac and the herbal mixture ensures that the pigeons always have good digestion: dry, solid faeces. This combination is given weekly. Hessechol is a top product for cleansing the liver. Especially after the competition, the preparation ensures that the pigeons quickly get a beautiful pink breast. During the racing season, the combination of Carni-Speed ​​and Rotosal ensures that the pigeons are in top condition; you can almost see them flying faster. Energy oil in combination with the condition powder Ro200 gives you the necessary reserves and you can maintain your top condition longer.

Achievements 2020

2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons
2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons
2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons
2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons

2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons

Contact info

2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons
2nd National Guéret against 12888 pigeons