“Quality and dedication make the difference”
A lifetime in pigeon sport

Gerard van den Bovenkamp (67) from Doetinchem has been connected to pigeon sport his entire life. Together with his wife Henriët, he has two children, Bart and Géke, and five grandchildren. His family forms an important foundation, but his passion has been pigeons since his youth.

“I got into pigeon sport through my father,” says Gerard. “I was already helping out when I was ten years old. It’s simply in my blood and has never let me go.”

The magic of returning pigeons
What makes the sport so special for Gerard? For him, it is actually very simple:
“The interaction with the pigeons and the moment they return home from a flight. Every time, that is a special experience.”

This experience, combined with the excitement of competition, continues to fuel his ambition.

Driven down to the smallest detail
Gerard is known for his passionate and well-considered approach. Nothing is left to chance.
He explains:
“Everything is carefully planned in order to achieve good results in the races. I am constantly looking for better pigeons and ways to improve management.”

Feed as the foundation
According to Gerard, nutrition plays a crucial role in both health and performance.

“A varied and healthy mixture is essential. Good feed must be diverse and balanced, must not lack anything, must be fresh (and germinating), and tailored to the season. The right balance of proteins, fats, and omega fatty acids is decisive.”

35 years of trust in Garvo
Gerard has been feeding his pigeons Garvo pigeon feed for over thirty years. In that time, he only tried another brand for one year, which turned out to be unsuccessful.

“I couldn’t get used to it, it didn’t satisfy me, and the performance of my pigeons was disappointing. Then I returned to the Garvo Prestige line, and performance quickly improved again.”

His feeding method: seasonally adapted
Gerard works with carefully developed feeding schedules adapted to the season and type of race.

“Depending on the season and racing program, I use the Garvo Prestige line. During the racing season I feed:
• Solution (3864)
• Prestige Race (5581)
• Prestige PL Light (5598)

For middle-distance races I also add:
• Super Energy (3815) or HE4000 (4000) for more demanding flights
• Seeds (3805)

After the racing season I feed:
• Solution (3864)
• Prestige Moulting (5583)
• Barley (5311)

During the breeding season, when the young are hatched and about 6–7 days old, I switch from Prestige Moulting(5583) to Prestige Breeding (5582) and remove barley (5311). I have therefore created my own Garvo feeding plans. I have always fed my pigeons Garvo and have always been very satisfied. Good feed is important, which is why I chose Garvo. In my experience, especially the Prestige line is a high-quality feed, from which pigeons require less compared to cheaper brands.”

The strength of Garvo
For Gerard, it is clear where Garvo’s strength lies:
“Quality at an affordable price! Garvo is by far not the most expensive producer. The only pity is that it is difficult to obtain in some parts of the country. I have also heard that often at fairs!”

Can’t find Garvo in your local store? Let us know. We are happy to help and will do everything we can to make Garvo available in your region.

Improvement and development
Gerard is positive about the updated blends in the Prestige line.
“I am enthusiastic about the Prestige line. I think it has developed further, although I was already satisfied with all but one mixture. But I am very happy with it; standing still means going backwards. The competition doesn’t stand still either! I have no experience with the G-Spirit line; I prefer to mix my own blends.”

New pigeon mixtures
Garvo has launched two new feed mixtures specifically for hens. What is Gerard’s opinion? Prestige PP Power (5596) and Prestige DS ladies (5576).

“I saw the mixtures for the first time at the spring fair in Houten. I think Prestige PP Power (5596) is very good and I will feed it to my hens in the coming season. Together with Solution (3864) and Prestige PL Light (5598), I am fully convinced.”

Omega 6/3 balance
Gerard recently also tested the updated Omega-6/3 ratio in the mixtures:
“I tested the mixture during young bird races and the late season. I liked it very much, but I did not see an immediate improvement in the pigeons. That was also because I could only feed it for 14 days. What stood out, however, was that the pigeons had fewer issues with individual grains and ate it very willingly. After the test I switched back to the old composition because the new one was not yet available from my supplier (Horsting Kilder).”

**All Prestige and G-Spirit blends have been optimized and are now available

Gas packaging
Several mixtures are now gas-packed. What does Gerard think about this?
“Herman Garretsen explained the benefits of the new packaging. Personally, I did not see the old packaging as a disadvantage and had no problems with it. Recently, however, I saw a sack of feed (not Garvo) at one of my pigeons that was infested with grain beetles. Gas-sealed packaging can prevent this.”

Ambassador with passion
During the spring exhibition in Houten, Gerard is a familiar face at the Garvo stand.
“I really enjoy this work and give it my full commitment. As a pigeon enthusiast, I hope to offer visitors something special (my experience and success with Garvo feed).”

Visitor reactions vary, he says:
“It varies greatly. Garvo users are very enthusiastic when I explain how I manage my pigeons and follow my feeding plans. Those who do not use Garvo are initially skeptical, but become interested when you talk about the use of Solution (3864). Especially when you mention that fewer or no supplements are needed. Good is good, and less is better! The updated Prestige line and especially Prestige PP Power (5596) were also well received.”

Advice for other enthusiasts
Gerard is an important source of information in his community. His main advice:
“I advise various pigeon fanciers in my area regarding care and flight performance and try to encourage them to choose Garvo.”

Outlook for the new season
Like every enthusiast, Gerard looks forward to the start of the new season:
“I always look forward to the start of the season and hope performances will improve. You want beautiful races and great results in good weather. That makes it even more enjoyable! And of course, I want to see how the new pigeons perform in the loft and keep losses to a minimum.”

In closing
With his years of experience, sharp eye, and immense passion, Gerard van den Bovenkamp is a true ambassador of pigeon sport and Garvo.

His story shows what really matters:
dedication, quality, and the constant pursuit of improvement.

Garvo racing pigeons assortment: click here