Nico Pronk: “Je moet dag en nacht met de duiven bezig zijn”

Nico Pronk: “You have to be busy with the pigeons day and night” In this episode of the Pigeon Pixels Podcast, Nico Pronk from Mill joins the show. A name that has resonated in Dutch pigeon racing for decades. Nico is one of those rare fanciers who have performed at a top level for almost their entire lives. From his first championship at the age of 12 in Den Helder to national successes in the ZLU marathon races. Together with Falco Ebben, he looks back on over 65 years of pigeon racing. How did it all start with a few English pigeons washed ashore in a chicken coop? How did he immediately win championships as a young fancier? And how did he later grow into one of the most famous loft builders in the Netherlands? They discuss in detail the famous P & P pigeon lofts, ventilation, temperature differences, underfloor heating, the ideal roof construction, and why Nico never believed in glass in the roof of a pigeon loft. He also explains how he experimented with ventilation for years until he found the perfect roof. In addition, the conversation covers: 🔹 the current problems with birds of prey 🔹 the switch from middle-distance to ZLU 🔹 the importance of good pigeons and a good loft 🔹 nutrition, training, and selection 🔹 why simplicity often works better than overdoing it 🔹 his vision on health and minimizing treatments 🔹 legendary pigeons from his career 🔹 the development of his current marathon strain Nico talks in his own honest way about successes, setbacks, and everything he has learned in decades of pigeon racing. An episode full of practical experience, nostalgia, and technical insights from which every pigeon fancier can gain something. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction of Nico Pronk 02:31 The Battle Against Birds of Prey 05:05 Nico's Beginning in Pigeon Racing 11:01 Successful Years in Pigeon Racing 16:54 The Transition to Professional Pigeon Fancier 25:04 Innovations in Pigeon Loft Construction 27:31 The Perfect Roof 32:22 Temperature and Ventilation in Pigeon Lofts 39:09 The Importance of Good Pigeons 42:22 The Key to Success: Dedication and Knowledge 50:00 The Health of Pigeons 52:54 Nutrition and Training of Pigeons 57:23 Breeding and Selection of Pigeons 59:34 The Origin of Pigeons 01:05:15 The Performance of Pigeons 01:07:00 Future Plans and Expectations 🔹 Do you want to delve deeper into pigeon racing? As a member, you get access to Q&As with national top performers, extensive documentaries, and loft tours. Join via: [   / @pigeonpixels  ](   / @pigeonpixels  ) 🔹 Support Pigeon Pixels via: [https://pigeonpixels.backme.org](https://pigeonpixels.backme.org) 🔹 SEO tags: pigeon racing, Nico Pronk, Pigeon Pixels Podcast, P & P lofts, marathon pigeons, ZLU, long-distance pigeons, middle-distance, pigeon lofts, pigeon loft ventilation, racing pigeons, birds of prey pigeon racing, marathon racing, pigeon health, pigeon feed, pigeon breeding, Falco Ebben, Nico Pronk Mill, Barcelona pigeons, Agen ZLU, long-distance racing, pigeon podcast, pigeon fancier, P and P pigeon lofts