Since 45 years, Günter Prange works as a pigeon breeder and since 16 years, he can continuously be found amongst the German champions. His goal has always been to breed the exceptional and special pigeon. From his many visits to top-lofts, his professional conversations with lots of different breeders, and his consistent studying of the As-pigeons’ main characteristics he gained the competence and talent to reliably and accurately judge a pigeon. This way, Prange progressively developed his own individual perception of an exceptional pigeon’s appearance. He trusts in his methods and technical expertise till today – even if they might lead to the selection of the wrong bird from time to time.
The Pale Delbars
In the development of the first real As-pigeon family in Prange’s loft was of course – how else could it be – also a little bit of luck involved. In the late 60s, Günter came across a Belgian pigeon which he immediately reported. The bird was strikingly pale and actually turned out to be a pigeon from the “Fahlen No. 9” of the world-known breeder Maurice Delbar. The bird was picked up again, however, returned to Prange’s loft in Meppen only four weeks later. This time, Günter had been allowed to breed and crossed the “Fahlen” with his No. 825. Because he didn’t have any other Delbar-birds, Prange contacted the German breeder Goschalla and got several other pigeons of this descent, amongst them the female “761” which he considered to be suitable for pairing with the “Fahlen 825”. With this, Prange got his first real breeding pair whose descendants achieved outstanding flight results.
The pair’s best son was the “51” of 74 which Günter crossed with the female “173” of 82 – as well a Delbar-descendant. Quickly, Prange found great pleasure in working with the Delbar-pigeons and got more for his loft.
The second top-pair was the “Fahle 51” and the female “173”; it led to many exceptionally good birds that were significantly important for the winning of the first German championship in the eighths district of the years 1987, 1988, and 1989.
Their supposedly best descendant, the “Fahle 207” of 83 becomes Germany’s 1st As-bird in July 1987. In the same month, his son is entitled 2nd As-bird on the nationwide level.
In 1993, Günter crosses the “Fahle 207” with his own sister, the “721” of 84 and gets the pale female “665” of 93. Paired with the “Ringlose”, the “721” results in the “Fahle 802” of 99 – Germany’s 1st As-bird in 2001! The “Ringlose” originates from the “NL 959” of 94, a son of Koopman’s “Beatrix-Doffer” and the “893” of 94 who is a daughter of the “Fahle 722” (son of the “Fahle 207”). Let us summarize the time from 1970 to today in five generations: “Fahle 825”? “Fahle 51”? “Fahle 207”? “Fahle 665” W? “Fahle 802”! More Delbar-birds of close or more distant descent become As-pigeons on federal and regional levels: The 5-year-old “193” of 83 becomes 2nd As-bird of Germany in 1988 and his son, the “467” of 92, 16th As-bird in 1995 and 9th As-bird in 1996! Furthermore, the “858” of 86 – also a Delbar-bird – is entitled 2nd As-bird of the 8th district for three times and 9th As-bird of Germany in 1990, he also represents the German colours at the Olympiad in Verona.
The Koopman-Pigeons
Recently, another As-pigeon family of Günter Prange dominates the national lists of honour: The “NL 959”, son of Koopman’s “Beatrix-Doffer”, or alternatively of his best son the “Ringlose”.
Günter Prange is always in search of matches for his Delbar-breed. In 1994, he got some young pigeons from the Dutch top-loft C & G Koopman. There were many very good birds amongst them, however, one was outstanding: the “NL 959” of 94, son of the “Beatrix-Doffer”. Günter Prange decided to pair this pigeon with the daughter of the “Fahle 722” and out of this crossing got the “146” of 96 which turned out to be an extraordinary bird. Until July 1997, Prange was able to win six 1st prizes with him. Unfortunately, this pigeon and other males were stolen shortly before basketing. From the same pair, Günter bred the “Ringlose” who – because he was born quite late – didn’t get a ring; the outstanding performance of his brother most likely saved his life. Prange’s decision was rewarded with a remarkably strength of inheritance. Together with the “Fahle 665”, he bred the “Fahle 802” – 1st As-bird of Germany in 2001. A pairing of the “704” of 99, a daughter of the “Ringlose”, with a Koopman-bird at Beumer-Sandbothe leads to the “1011” of 2000, Germany’s 1st in 2002. And finally, the pairing of the “Ringlose” himself and a granddaughter “Zitter” of Koopman results into the “1009” of 2001, 2nd As-bird of Germany 2003!
Also the pairing with other females produces exceptionally results, for example the “330” and the “1” – sons of the “Ringlose” and a Bellens-female. The “330” of 97 becomes 27th As-bird of Germany in 2000 and 1st As-bird in June 2001. In the following year, he could have won the As-bird title again, but unfortunately he got injured after the tenth flight and couldn’t compete anymore. In his whole career, he won as many as eight 1st titles!
By now, Günter gets positive feedback from all regions and gets continuously told about the success of the breeding of the “NL 959” and the “Ringlose”. No matter with which female these pigeons are paired, their ability to win top-awards always persists.
Updated 9th February 2007