Kyleakin Lofts Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 Hans Knetsch, Katwijk Despite having to overcome some obstacles and running out of time, I have stillbeen able to pay a visit to Hans.Monday IRUN, Tuesday shipping for BERGERAC, Wednesday shipping forNARBONNE, Thursday clocking in and Friday, Saturday and Sunday thearrival of the pigeons, so it certainly was a bit of a challenge to visit a loft anddo an article… . But Monday was the day, so together with Willem van de Velden we left 7o’clock in the morning for Katwijk. Hans Knetsch hardly needs an introductionas so much has been written about this through and through pigeon lover andsportsman over the years. Year in, year out we see him realise the highestscores. But he is not only famous for his racing, also as a breeder, he has laidthe foundation for many other top fanciers, such as the Barcelona ‘specialist’Willem v.d. Velden from Boskoop. Willem’s success was built on a completefirst round of young Wanroys from Hans. Having arrived at Hans’ I also meet Wim Schaddé from Dooren, a clever youngguy who took away the best young from both Hans and Willem and look whathappens: last year in Barcelona he was ‘steenvroeg’ (very early in) and nowagain in Barcelona in the Glazenstad 3rd , 7th and 14th and in the National 39th,92nd and 239th. Hans beams when he hears the young fancier talking about his pigeons andkeeps quiet about his own successes, despite the fact that his pigeons came inearly one after the other in the section 12 “De Kuststrook†and Zuid-Hollandthis year. Hans never brags, for he is still a real lover and hobbyist, totally noncommercial, a man who lives for his pigeons. When asked, he comments that athis age, he has become less aggressive and more laid back. Hans has indeedbeen involved with pigeons since 1948, but as a steersman of an ocean liner hehad a lifestyle away from home so there a few time gaps. After returning to alife on land, he picked up the fond and he went to Rosmolen in Valkenburg nearKatwijk. Rosmolen had the real Wanroys via J.B. Hendriks and had won acouple of cars with them. They did not come cheap, says Hans, but until now hehas no regrets. Lately, he has been cross breeding the wanroy with an Aardenpigeon (van Geel) and a pigeon from Steketee, the latter from the same origin(Aarden, van Wanroy). After some digging into their past Hans found that theHendriks’ bloodline from Steketee came from the same father as the pigeons hegot from Rosmolen. In my opinion, Steketee has done a lot better by racing more rigorously. Whathis pigeons have accomplished over the last 25 years borders on the impossible.Because of their commercial value, a large number of fanciers now race with hisbreed. With Hans this is different story; he rather gives them away andthoroughly enjoys it when others become successful with them. His game is simple, as a young only de natour. As a yearling 5 to 6 tosses andthen Bergerac. Once they reach 2 years, two afternoon releases and at threeyears old he has a good look and decides which ones are capable for theafternoon releases of ZLU, because Hans loves to play both disciplines. Apigeon goes seldom three times overnight in a season. Full feeding withMariman Super M, 20% super diet, 10% ‘snoepzaad’ (‘treat’ seeds) togetherwith crushed peanuts. These are put in small pots in the breeding loft during thelast two days also in bowls on the floor to keep them eating.No vitamins, because according to his opinion the birds moult too easily.Medication, very little, only a yellow pill before basketing. His best pigeon atthe moment is the Asduif Perpignan, 3x in the first hundred. There are 6 lofts,two for 12 widowhood cocks and a nesting loft for about 30 pairs, a loft for theyoung ones with a run in which Hans keeps roughly 60 young pigeons. For thebreeders (old racers) also a loft with run. Their layout is Southeast, East,Southwest and Northwest, so you can say that they can fly in all directions…Air comes in via open ceilings, no heating just a little glass at the front. The winning hen, "Jopie" NL04-1941602, was found on the loft a little afterfive, because Hans was having a snooze on the couch. It’s a small real blackWanroy. She was sent on a young of five days. Her father was still doing a 3rdin South Holland, so she comes from a good nest. Hans ended up in this IRUNwith a number of early pigeons and with the strong South Westerly wind this isa real achievement. Especially to take them off the coast, but this he has beendoing the entire season… Hans on behalf of the committee and all the members congratulations with yourachievements! Wim van Rijk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddymac Posted May 21, 2018 Report Share Posted May 21, 2018 Jan Aardens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Morrison Posted May 22, 2018 Report Share Posted May 22, 2018 another good read andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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