Houben Jef, Luc & Nadia The Story is told … and what a story it is !
As I write, I am on the plan e back to the States. I just finisched all the features and interviews that I had started in the evenings between 11:00 PM and 2:30 AM, or betweend 6:00 and 9:00 AM. On every trip I interwiew and visit during the day then when I get back to the hotel I try to get down some impressions, reactions, etc. before the nect day. Most features are about half written the morning that I leave, otherwise I would have I second rate story.
While at Houbens we ran out of time and had another commitment. As a result, I did not see the hens--only lots of super cocks. Naturally super cocks come from ‘good hens’, but my reaction is one of some caution before putting my neck on the block.
Luc speaks perfect English, so I asked him te detail his methods starting with the fall molt through Old Bird racing and send that along. When you have a loft with a record like this, the methods may be either a lesson er reminder to all of us.
I waited to do this story until this morning on the plane ride so I would have my mind clear of all other material. My gut reaction is that this loft may be the international impact loft of the future. It is hard to image a current name such as Houben replacing Janssen, Hoffken, Horemand, Aarden, etc…, but we must keep in mind all the above names replaced Sion, Stassart and Fabry.
A key reason or two for such a prediction – the overwhelming depth of quality is the first. This is the only loft that I have ever visited that I woul have been willing to accept as a gift fill basker of pigeons of my choice. If you think that sounds silly, keep in mind that I have a super family with years invested in them. To bring in a bird from ere or there, or to bring in 8 of 10 youngsters (knowing one or two may make the grade but that is even remote) – that all is okay. No damage to the family. To bring in a basket of choice mature Houbens would mean in a loft of my size, eliminating my family. As I fly, Jan Hermans is getting the price on 6 youngsters off cock that I picked.
These pigeons are racing machines and they have all the stars. They have not sold the stars. I am not sure it would make a difference because of the depth of quality, but ist is smart on their part to keep them. That is a second reason.
The irony of this whole scenario is that I have have known both from European sources, American lofts winning with the, and from Mike Ganus that Houbens are a super racing loft. However, they deal with one European agent and I do not associate or feature European lofts that deal with him. In Europe, guilt by association is automatic. In think there is al ot of merit in it.
In this instance, I broke my rule and at the request of the Duif and Jan Hermans (who is as honest as a man comes) and wnt because Houbens’ had won the Gouden Duif Award.
I had met Luc previously but dind’t know him wll enough to make any judgement of my own an I never got a chance with several of us there, to visit with the rest of the family. So I can not give them that kind of endorsement – I can say that I have never heard anything bad of them from people who would be aware and know, so that is in fact an endorsement as to their character. In the pigeon sport the grapevine is always fruitful. One just had to able ot sort through the choice fruit and more prevalent sour grapes. I do heartilly endorse this family of pigeons.
Almost 40 Years
Fonne Ceulemans of Berlaar are the base of the family. Two Raeymakers birds were added to this family in the 60’s. In the 70’s, the famous Stoces and Houbens exchanged some birds. So, except for a new exchange with a top fancier, that is the basis of the family.
Are you aware of what other legendary family is based on the birds from Fonne Ceulemans? Try Janssen Brothers Arendonk. However, I see no rescemblence. The Houbens through the decades are their own family.
As I handled the breeders and some widowers, here are numbers that I noted as superior. I do this in many lofts that I visit. Usually the list is very short. Some are old, some are young, these are the ones that I likes. You might not. Even the ones not on the list, I liked – just nog as much as these. I did not list “Sony”, “Youn Artiest”, or “Chippy”, but only because I couldn’t begin to afford yound off them. It costs about $3,400 for a baby off the “Young Artiest” … when they are available. Fred Goodchild has on in Canada. It is the only one in N.America. Ken-ichi Yoshihara had ons ordered to go to Japan.
The list, in case you want to contact Mike Ganus to see what he had (Mike had been importing them for several years) is as follows:
91-026 BBC, 88-704 BCC, 82-172 BC Bronze, 87-608 BC white eye, 81-080 yellow ere (rich & twitch), 83-6375406 BCC, 88-694 BBC, 85-819 BBC, 86-1053 BBC, 89-099, 87-660, 90-161 BB, 88-627, 90-397 BBC, 90-358 BC, 88-796 BC, 90-606 BB.
And remember, I did not see the hens or all the cock – only 30 – 40 of them … maybe
Brief Recap of Race Performance
Best loft in Belgium, BDS, and winner of the prestigious Gouden Duif in 1991.
National races: top 10 last 6 years; first, second, third, 3 x fifth, 3 x sixth, seventh, 4 x eigth, 3 x ninth, 3 x tenth. This record flying against an average 14,653 birds per race. High number is 27,499 birds and lowest number is 5,314 birds. Distance is about 336 miles, 385 miles and 448 miles.
I am not going to list 91 awards as it is too long – but it is impressive.
Are They Selling Good Birds?
I think so. I am getting reports from here en there of winners off the Houbens. Keep in mind, there are not a lot around yet. As I have told you, Mike Ganus brings them in every year, or I thing he still does. Mike gave me a baby out of the nest (I named him “Hoube”). He is actually half Houben but on my hans he has bred, two First Place winners and he is a visual image twin to “Sony” except in color. I loaned him to a beginner friend of mine (to come back April ’93) in the hope that he gets some good ones also. Mrs Houbens’ brother is Frank Schroyens in Tillburg Club in Canada. He took home 20 or 30 eggsfrom the widowers and besides being on top almost every race, he is strong. Example: 4 futurity band bought. Those 4 birds at 453 mile vs 79 lofts won 1st, 2nd, 5th and 8th. On a 180 miles race he took 1st-6th, 8th-9th, 11th-44th and a bunch more positions. The result sheet didn’t look like hardly anyone else shipped.
They list the names and record of 45 different lofts flying their birds in Belgium, Holland and Germany. None of the records are bad and most are simply outstanding.
U.S. Racing
They are a perfect bird for our race conditions as they excel at middle distance trhough 500 miles and can probably go longer, though th muscle may be too hard for overnight events except from the line of the “Markies”.
Straight or Crossed?
I don’t thing it makes any difference, however, a couple of the ones that I really likes were a cross that Houbens had recently mad and thy gained some variety in eye and I thought a touch softer muscle. Although from just a couple it is hard to say. One thing is for sure, though similar, there is sufficient variety in the lines of the cocks that I handled to breed them straight with success. Houbens do!
Conclusion
Overall in quality how do they compare to other lofts of birds that I have seen in Europe?
Individual birds, even some small nucleus family birds that I have seen will outshine them. The only loft as a unit that I can recall right now that compares is Van Hove-Uytterhoeven. I have not seen them all by any means and I may have forgot a favourite while my mind is filled with this loft.
Both lofts have a genetic package bakced by generations and decades of performance.
This is 1992 and I think that if you want to win races in 1993 through 2044, get birds from either family. Just keep in mind, the birds can not do it alone. They need just a little help from you.
While at Houbens we ran out of time and had another commitment. As a result, I did not see the hens--only lots of super cocks. Naturally super cocks come from ‘good hens’, but my reaction is one of some caution before putting my neck on the block.
Luc speaks perfect English, so I asked him te detail his methods starting with the fall molt through Old Bird racing and send that along. When you have a loft with a record like this, the methods may be either a lesson er reminder to all of us.
I waited to do this story until this morning on the plane ride so I would have my mind clear of all other material. My gut reaction is that this loft may be the international impact loft of the future. It is hard to image a current name such as Houben replacing Janssen, Hoffken, Horemand, Aarden, etc…, but we must keep in mind all the above names replaced Sion, Stassart and Fabry.
Fonne Ceulemans of Berlaar are the base of the family. Two Raeymakers birds were added to this family in the 60’s. In the 70’s, the famous Stoces and Houbens exchanged some birds. So, except for a new exchange with a top fancier, that is the basis of the family.
Are you aware of what other legendary family is based on the birds from Fonne Ceulemans? Try Janssen Brothers Arendonk. However, I see no rescemblence. The Houbens through the decades are their own family.
As I handled the breeders and some widowers, here are numbers that I noted as superior. I do this in many lofts that I visit. Usually the list is very short. Some are old, some are young, these are the ones that I likes. You might not. Even the ones not on the list, I liked – just nog as much as these. I did not list “Sony”, “Youn Artiest”, or “Chippy”, but only because I couldn’t begin to afford yound off them. It costs about $3,400 for a baby off the “Young Artiest” … when they are available. Fred Goodchild has on in Canada. It is the only one in N.America. Ken-ichi Yoshihara had ons ordered to go to Japan.
Overall in quality how do they compare to other lofts of birds that I have seen in Europe?
Individual birds, even some small nucleus family birds that I have seen will outshine them. The only loft as a unit that I can recall right now that compares is Van Hove-Uytterhoeven. I have not seen them all by any means and I may have forgot a favourite while my mind is filled with this loft.
Both lofts have a genetic package bakced by generations and decades of performance.
This is 1992 and I think that if you want to win races in 1993 through 2044, get birds from either family. Just keep in mind, the birds can not do it alone. They need just a little help from you.
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