Grammene (Deinze) – Located in sandy clay Flanders, right by the banks of the winding Leie. It was in the '70s that the success story began for Leon Messiaen, for many years one of the best international Barcelona specialists we have ever seen in action. No large installation or luxury lofts, but pure selection based on supernatural performance, and this with a unique strain based on champions "Mister Castres" and "De Perpignan" created a legacy of top performers in long-distance racing for many years. Pigeons that are famous and infamous for their tremendous endurance and perseverance, and who love to be the first to cross the finish line in the harshest weather conditions!
The Strain
We can call Leon's colony, without exaggeration, extremely small, as in the early years the flight loft housed only 12 widowers. In a later phase, it was slightly expanded, but it never held more than 24. With this group, he did follow the full program of long-distance and international flights! Over the years, pigeons were brought in from Eric Devlaminck (Hulste), Hubert Vanacker (Oostrozebeke), Lea Van Aelst (Dentergem), and Marc Van De Riviere (Nevele). It is also worth mentioning the latest acquisitions from: Dr. Antoon Lenaert (Anzegem), Dirk Martens (Meigem), Fr. & Marino Martens (Ruiselede), as well as Messiaen - Vanhauwaert from Avelgem.
The contributions from good friend Emiel Denys quickly bore fruit. Leon bought a daughter of his famous “Perpignan hen”: 2nd International Perpignan among hens and 12th International Perpignan. This daughter, the “Perpignan II hen”, was mated to “De Pau” BE82-4422569, who won 6th National Pau in '87. This proved to be a brilliant pairing that can still be found years later as the foundation of the top pigeons at Messiaen. They became, among others, the parents of “Pauson”, a fantastic breeder who, when mated to various hens, produced several top performers worldwide.
From another great champion of that time, Gaby Deleersnijder from Zulte, among others, “De Barcelona 79” was acquired, ring number BE75-4280780. A shot in the bull's-eye, as his breeding value would soon be proven. Another cock from this loft, “Blauwe Nestpender” BE76-4690795, produced great offspring. This one was paired with the “Perpignan II hen” from Emiel Denys, and they produced the “Geschelpte Barcelona”, which in 1990 won 1st club, 7th provincial, 28th national, and 84th international against 28128 pigeons from Barcelona.
Leon clearly did not overlook the success with the pigeons of Emiel Denys, and in 1996 he bought at an auction from Emiel the “Geschelpte Prins”, a son of his top pair “Prins Barcelona” (Gyselbrecht) x “Dochter Pau” (Coutteau). It turned out to be another suitable purchase, as he became the father at Messiaen of:
“Jonge Prins Barcelona”: 1st provincial and 3rd national Barcelona, good for 6th international against 25815 pigeons.
“Prins Didibis”: won 2nd club Barcelona, 5th provincial, 35th national and 140th international against 22887 pigeons in 2006. With this, “Prins Didibis” was co-winner of the Barcelona Masters championship in 2006. It is also noteworthy that the mother of “Prins Didibis” was a pure “Didi” hen, obtained through Joseph Vandenbroucke from Wielsbeke: the breeder of the “Didi” line that made Etienne Devos world-famous.
Reference André Vermote (Oostende)
2nd National Narbonne 2019 against 3580 pigeons --> grandson of "Mister Castres"
Reference Glen Cameron (Scotland)
Impressive results with the line of "Mister Castres" and "Perpignan", achieved on the toughest flights including:
- "Branch" grandson of "Perpignan" wins 1st National Roye, 3rd National Roye (836 km)
- 7th open Scottish National Alencon 918 km --> granddaughter "Perpignan"
- 6th Open Scottish National Nort-sur-Erdre 1012 km --> granddaughter "Perpignan"
- 5th Open Scottish National Grevillers 798 km --> grandson "Perpignan"
- 2023 Scottish National Average / Champions
- 2024 Scottish National Average / Champions runner up
- 2023 3rd UK Golden Duif championships.
We gladly take you through the list of top performances that the long-distance flyers from the Messiaen loft have achieved over the years, with highlights being the annual Barcelona classics: