Where Daniël went to send pigeons, he was always the one to beat. Never part of the mass but each time fighting again for that coveted top bird. There were weekends when he sometimes occupied the entire podium. Very few are given that chance. This consistently resulted in staggering numbers at the end of the season. Pigeons that flew 10 or more 1st prizes in their careers were no exception, a true family of pointers now forced to come to the auction table.
History
The story begins in 1979, when Daniël, born in 1956, was already strongly attracted to the pigeons on the family farm from a young age and the performances of his brother Roger, decided to start independently as a pigeon fancier. This from their rented house in Letterhoutem, however, all beginnings proved to be difficult and brought little real success.
The first good results came only in 1984. After pairing a hen from Julien de Beer, a colleague at Volkswagen who was then performing great, with a male pigeon from his father-in-law Frans De Rouck, he managed to win some first prizes. In 1988 Daniël moved to Bakkerswegel 13; the loft was already ready before the house was built, such was his passion for the sport.
Especially the performances of his first top pigeon, the “Vuilen Blauwe” 409/88, 18x first on Quiévrain, motivated Daniel to constantly seek more and better flying and breeding material. A quest that would last his whole life.
As time went on, brother Luc became increasingly involved, and soon they became a well-oiled machine, two hands on one belly complementing each other perfectly. Together they sought ways to improve their game, loft, and line to achieve the desired results and titles. In 1996 there was a real injection of quality when the brothers decided to approach Robert De Neve in Kersken, an enthusiast who closely followed and admired Daniël. The older fanciers from the Dender region will remember “de sjampetter” with his fantastic racing wonders. They bought a full brother and sister of Robert's Provincial ace pigeon 1995. “de Robert” 972/96 became the first basis for many first prize winners. He was paired with a hen from Camiel De Neve, whose daughter “Shakira” 672/02 became 1st provincial ace pigeon young birds 2002 KBDB and 2nd ace pigeon young birds in the pigeon newspaper championship.
From Shakira came the ultimate grandchild, the super flyer, super breeder: “den 38” or “Usain Bolt.” He himself was 2nd provincial ace pigeon in 2006 with 13 x 1sts, 10 x 2nds, and 8 x 3rds. As a super breeder, “den 38” eventually grew into the founding father of the champion loft. Many of his offspring were exceptional fliers dominating races such as Quiévrain and Noyon.
The main children of “den 38” Usain Bolt their pure performances:
- 632/07, 11 x 1st, 5 x 2nd, 5 x 3rd
- 633/07, 8 x 1st, 5 x 2nd, 2 x 3rd
- 929/08, 6 x 1st, 3 x 2nd, 7 x 3rd
- 263/11, 18 x 1st, 7 x 2nd, 8 x 3rd
- 264/11, 9 x 1st, 8 x 2nd, 3 x 3rd
- 770/12, 19 x 1st, 16 x 2nd, 6 x 3rd at Luc
- 778/12, 9 x 1st, 6 x 2nd, 4 x 3rd at Luc
The last four, good for 55 pure first prizes, came from a pairing of den 38 x 9057923/10 from Bernard Van Rentergem in Pipaix, a granddaughter of his base pair, bloodline André Roodhooft.
In the meantime, the brothers, carefully and with consultation, also introduced other breeds into their own bloodline. For this, they approached among others Jozef De Lodder from Zulte, Antoine De Grave from Waarschoot, Germaine De Meyer from Sint-Lievens-Houtem, Stickers-Donckers from Lille. All enriched the blood of the Van Heddeghem breed.
This resulted in a series of real crack pigeons such as 413/04 12 x 1st, 4 x 2nd. 722/05 “Den Ouden “Grijzen” with 13 x 1st, 16 x 2nd, and 9 x 3rds. “Den Ouden Grijzen” is the father of 751/12 with 6 x 1st and grandfather of Luc’s “Grijsken” 616/16 with 11 x 1st, 7 x 2nd, 9 x 3rd. 3 times ranked among the provincial ace pigeons.
In recent years, Daniël and Luc have increasingly dealt with top pigeon fanciers such as Ghys Roger and son, De Gendt Franky and with great success a trade deal with De Swaef Gert: among other things, the 550 became 5th provincial ace pigeon at Daniël and 1st prize winners 551, 554 three pigeons found in the sale. A male pigeon on loan from Gert, 18-4008507 (son of 008/17 top hen) was paired with a daughter of Den 38 x De Graeve Antoine, from which excellent pigeons were born, including Margo, 2nd provincial and 5th national ace pigeon KBDB 2020, 7 x 1st and 17 x top 3, although she only flew as a young and yearling. Her nest sister Maggy also stood 5 x on 1 and 49 x around 10.
Photo above: Daniël and Luc with crack pigeons 63/11 & 64/11 children of “den 38”
Grandchildren of “den 38” for sale:
- 889/18, Petra, 6 X 1st, 4 X 2nd, 3 X 3rd
- 890/18, Patrica, 9 X 1st, 3 X 2nd, 1 X 3rd
- 891/18, Evi, 2 X 1st, 2 X 2nd, 3 X 3rd
- 424/18, Marleen, 6 X 1st, 13 X Top 5
- 183/19, Maggy, 5 X 1st, 15 X Top 5
- 184/19, Margo, 7 X 1st, 17 X Top 3 (at 2 years)
- 711/20, Lize, 4 X 1st, 12 X Top 5
- 712/20, Lisa, 3 X 1st, 3 X 2nd, 2 X 3rd
- 717/20, Martine, 1 X 1st, 4 X 2nd
- 718/20, Maarten, 1 X 1st, 2 X 3rd
- 729/20, Franske, 1 X 1st
- 730/20, Martin, 1 X 1st, 8 X Top 5
- 731/20, Lucas, Late Young
- 732/20, Liam, Late Young, 3 X 2nd
- 695/21, Summer Young
- 697-21, Summer Young
- 698/21, Summer Young
- 185/22 Summer Young
- 187/22 Summer Young
- 188/22 Summer Young
References
The bloodline of Daniël has also brought significant success at other lofts, with the main ones being:
- At Marc De Vadder in Haaltert, where a grandchild of “den 38”: the 477/17 grew into the father of 10 different 1st prize winners, and one of the last sons of den 38: the 644/15 became the father of “Den Bijter” with as many as 19 x 1st prize.
- At Hendrik Lahaye, Vlierzele, a hen from Daniël became the mother of the 5th provincial ace pigeon 2021.
- At De Swaef Gert “Den Grijzen Daniël” SUPER FLYER 19x 1st, also grandfather of Aaike, 2nd provincial ace pigeon. The Grijzen Daniel came from den Ouden Grijzen (722/12) 13x 1st, 16x 2nd, and 9x 3rd.
- At Johan De Schrijver Wetteren, excellent season 2023 and at D’Haese Alfons from Erpe, both received the grey type of Daniël through Gert De Swaef.
The best reference remains Daniël’s brother Luc, who decided in 2012 to also play independently with the pigeons, a flying loft was built, and 35 young pigeons from Daniel came to Sint-Lievens-Houtem. The successes didn't take long to arrive, and among those first pigeons were excellent fliers with standouts: the 12-4119746 (grandson 38): 8 x 1st, the 12-4119751 (daughter of den ouden grijzen) 6 x 1st, the 12-4119778 (daughter 38): 9 x 1st and as the cherry on the cake the 12-4119770 (Den 70 from Luc, son of den 38); 19X 1st, 15x 2nd and 7x 3rd and ranked 3 years in a row among the provincial ace pigeons.
From den 70, Luc bred the 600/16; 8x 1st and his nest sister 601/16: 11x 1st, 7x 2nd and 72 per 10, and 705/16; 4x 1st, 41 per 10, 9th provincial ace pigeon KBDB O-VL.
2016 proved to be a very fruitful year, as another phenomenon was born at Luc, namely Luc’s "Grijsken" 16-4182616, from a pairing of the good yearling of Germain De Meyer with a daughter of ouden Grijzen. She also ranked 3x in a row among the provincial ace pigeons and was 2nd in the big Vitesse prize O-VL (championship with the 8 best results), she flew a total of: 11x 1st, 7x 2nd, 9x 3rd and 66 per 10.
Den 70 was also paired with the Grijsken, a super couple termed as two pigeons that each ranked provincially 3 times is not often seen. A daughter of this 20-4016694 (Lotte) flew at Luc 13x 1st, 5x 2nd and 6x 3rd, became 1st provincial ace pigeon yearlings KBDB O-VL in 2021 and 9th provincial ace pigeon in 2022. A sister of hers, 20-1016689, flew 3x 1st and 51 per 10 at Luc.
In the sale, 2 sisters of Lotte, namely:
- Lize 4 x 1st, 40 per 10
- Lisa 3x 1st, 3x 2nd, and 2x 3rd
and 2 brothers, lateborns of 2020, namely 731 and 732, the 731 was not played, the 732 only flew in April and May of 2022 with a 3rd prize of 2026 pigeons.
Medical and Nutrition
The mandatory vaccinations for paramyxo (Nobivac) in old pigeons and for young pigeons_paramyxo-rota as well as the vaccine against smallpox. After a check by the veterinarian, they were given ¼ flagyl for tricho and thereafter maintained with BS. For breeding (October) a 10-day course with parastop and during breeding 5 days of BS. In case of issues with the respiratory system, they received a remedy from the veterinarian. The basic feed consists of a molt and diet mix from Paloma, supplemented as needed with barley and wheat purchased from a local farmer. Also available were flaxseed (molt), canary seed, corn, and peanuts. By-products: while feeding, shredded fresh garlic, Belgasol, Avidress, redstone, and minerals.
With the old pigeons, until 2015, they always played with males on classic widowhood, but in recent years, they switched mainly to the hen game; also classic widowhood with a fixed partner.
For young pigeons, good training was emphasized; they were not darkened nor played on the sliding door. Selection was particularly done on pedigree as a young pigeon and as a yearling, a strict selection followed after evaluation of flying results, with the goal of retaining a good old racing pigeon, hopefully followed by good breeding results. The young pigeon game was therefore of less importance.
Rankings championships KBDB speed of the last 10 years Daniël & Luc
- 1ST PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2012
- 1ST PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON YEARLINGS 2021
- 1ST SPEED CHAMPION O+JL 2014
- 1ST SPEED CHAMPION 2017
- 1ST GREAT VELOCITY PRIZE 2012
- 2ND GREAT VELOCITY PRIZE 2014
- 2ND GREAT VELOCITY PRIZE 2018
- 2ND PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2014
- 2ND PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2019
- 2ND PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON YEARLINGS 2020
- 2ND SPEED CHAMPION 2012
- 2ND SPEED CHAMPION 2013
- 2ND SPEED CHAMPION 2020
- 3RD SPEED CHAMPION 2021
- 4TH SPEED CHAMPION 2018
- 5TH NATIONAL ACE PIGEON YEARLINGS 2020
- 5TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON YOUNG 2013
- 5TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON OLD 2020
- 6TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2015
- 6TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2017
- 7TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2014
- 7TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2016
- 8TH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 1+2 2020
- 8TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2020
- 9TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2021
- 11TH PROVINCIAL ACE PIGEON 2018
- 17TH NATIONAL ACE PIGEON OLD 2020
Some wonderful results from the last 3 years
- 6/07/2020 Noyon Strijdersbond 1,2,3,31 of 385 old (4/4)
Noyon Strijdersbond 1,2 of 213 jl (2/2)
Noyon Midden-waas 1,18,53,306 of 1835 O/JL (4/4)
Noyon Midden-waas 1,35 of 1072 jl (2/2)
- 12/07/2020 Noyon Strijdersbond 2,4,15 of 436 old/jl (3/4)
Noyon Midden-waas 3,10,89 of 1970 o/jl
- 2/08/2020 Noyon Strijdersbond 1,2,5 of 261 o/jl (3/4)
Noyon Strijdersbond 1,3 of 130 jl (2/2)
Noyon Midden-waas 1,4,32 of 1266 O/JL (3/4)
Noyon Midden-waas 3,20 of 685 jl (2/2)
- 2/08/2022 Noyon leeuwergem 1,2,5,22,27 of 194 O/JL (5/6)
Noyon leeuwergem 1,10 of 126 jl (2/3)
- 23/08/2020 Noyon Strijdersbond 2,3,10,13 of 144 o/jl (4/4)
- 2/05/2021 Quievrain Strijdersbond 1,3,26 of 144 o/jl (3/4)
Noyon Strijdersbond 9,12,18,24,68,71 of 736 o/jl (6/6)
- 20/06/2021 Noyon leeuwergem 1,4,9,32,33,… of 196 old (8/9)
Noyon leeuwergem 1,2,14,… of 97 jl (5/6)
- 11/07/2021 Noyon woubrechtegem 2,12,16,26,39 of 214 (5/6)
- 1/08/2021 Noyon Strijdersbond 1,10,28,31 of 178 O/Jl (4/6)
Noyon Midden-waas 1,24,… of 416 O (4/6)
- 8/08/2021 Noyon Strijdersbond 5,7,12 of 108 O/JL (3/3)
- 15/08/2021 Noyon Strijdersbond 5,6,8 of 130 O/jl (3/3)
Noyon Midden-waas 8,9,11 of 301 O/JL (3/3)
- 12/09/2021 Noyon Midden-waas 1 of 2229 young (1/1)
2022, Daniël's last season:
- 10/04/2022 Quievrain Strijdersbond 1,2,9,17,17,27,32,37,… of 452 O/JL (14/15)
- 17/04/2022 Noyon VNVB 3,77,86,141,… of 2026 O/JL (8/11)
- 17/04/2022 Quievrain midden-oost 1,5,12,… of 488 O/JL (4/6)
- 24/04/2022 Noyon woubrechtegem 13,28,30,33,57,151 of 785 O/JL (6/6)
- 30/04/2022 Ecouen Wanzele 1,5,12,14,32,64,128,141 of 520 O/JL (8/8)
- 1/05/2022 Quievrain Strijdersbond 5,8,19,… of 160 O/JL (4/5)
- 8/05/2022 Noyon woubrechtegem 1,6,8,9,12,29 of 398 O/JL (6/7)
- 15/05/2022 Noyon VNVB 1,4,64,83,… of 1246 O/JL (11/12)
- 29/05/2022 Quievrain Strijdersbond 1,2,15 of 82 O+JL (3/4)
- 6/06/2022 Noyon Strijdersbond 1,2,3,20,22,58 of 287 O+JL (6/7)
Noyon Strijdersbond 1 of 166 jl (1/1)
Noyon midden-waas 1,11,14,… of 1456 O/JL
Noyon midden-waas 1 of 760 JL (1/1)
- 12/06/2022 Quievrain Strijdersbond 1,6,15 of 94 O+/JL (3/4)
Noyon leeuwergem 1 of 102 JL (1/1)
Noyon Strijdersbond 2,20,46,50,51,… of 344 O/JL (6/6)
- 3/07/2022 Noyon Strijdersbond 1,3,17,48,61 of 339 O+JL (5/5)
- 10/07/2022 Noyon Strijdersbond 13,14,24,25,… of 278 O+JL (6/6)
- 17/07/2022 Noyon Wanzele 1,2,3,5 of 46 O+JL (4/4)
Noyon Midden-waas 8,13,55,96 of 938 O+J (4/4)
Noyon VNVB 2,24,51,… of 568 O+JL (6/6)
In Memoriam
The championship palmares of Daniël and Luc reads like an impressive report full of highlights, with many provincial ace pigeons and major velocity prizes. The ongoing auction presents a final chance to keep alive the legacy of the late Daniël Van Heddeghem, who passed away on February 14, 2023, from cancer, and to strengthen your own loft with over a quarter-century of experience, knowledge, and above all winning genes, as winning first prizes are embedded in those genes! Farewell, Daniël!