CO

TERSTEEG and

DIRK

DE JONG

40 years

in the Fancy

By: Elly Vogelaar. Photos: Elly Vogelaar

and Dirk de Jong.

40 years in the Fancy? I can hear you think… "This will probably be an

annoying story about two easy-going, know-all old men." Well, do read on. Easy-going? Both men are still full of the joys of life. Old? Age is only

a number. And know-alls? Yes, I dare say; as it concerns our hobby, these two are truly all-knowing ~ in a good way!

Co Tersteeg and Dirk De Jong These two neighbours live on a picturesque square in IJsselstein , and have a

long history together. They are primarily known for breeding French chicken breeds, such as Crêve Coeurs, La Flêche, Houdans, Bresse, Faverolles, Noord-

Franse Vechters and Limousines en Marans. The latter should have been mentioned first, because it was Marans that originally got these two into the hobby. However, in the course of this story you will encounter many other

animals.

Co Tersteeg is, by occupation a house painter; but from his fortieth birthday he and his wife had their own pet shop, and he was also animal carer at the Welland College in Houten. Animals have always surrounded him, even when the young

family still lived in a flat, where there was really no room for such things - even a built-in wardrobe was converted into a sea aquarium! Hence, he rented a piece

of land where he kept among other creatures, goats and Welsummer chickens; real fun for his kids. Dirk De Jong was an electrician in his working life, and also had a piece land

where he kept all kinds of cattle. The two have known each-other since their 12th or 13th birthdays; together with other friends they went to the polders

around IJsselstein observing the wildlife, that included peewits, ducks, crows,

magpies, etc.; later, of course, they also looked for pretty girls. In 1976 Dirk received his first LF Marans, descendants of a trio of black

coppernecks entered by a Belgian fancier at the Ornithophilia Show. They were disqualified because of foot feathering! The breed was recognized in the Netherlands, but was no longer mentioned in the Dutch Poultry Standard at that

time, hence the many wrong assessments made at the exhibitions. The Belgian had left them in the Netherlands at

a friend of Dirk's, in exchange for a couple of pigeons. Soon, the neighbour, Co Tersteeg, was

interested in these chickens too, especially as they were so

extraordinary, much quieter than his Welsummers, and he found it was more fun for his children.

These two neighbours were soon determined to continue with this

particular breed. They became members of the National Poultry

Union and first showed their Marans in 1977. And they were fanatic! As the Dutch judges did not really

know the breed, and the assessments were not very positive,

they thought that much nicer Marans could be found in France. However, their breeding base was

also very restricted; it was a matter of finding French breeders of

Marans.

Especially on their searching trips, these two have really

experienced the craziest adventures. When I took a cup of coffee at Danja’s - a

daughter of Co, who lives next to his current piece of land, in

Cabauw, the stories start pouring out; my pen can hardly keep pace! Danja also

tells me, in the meantime, that thanks to her father's close

friendship with neighbour Dirk, she had a great youth because she could always have all the

pets she wanted, either from her Dad or Dirk, and all her friends were insanely jealous.

But how do you find Marans? At the beginning, they asked everyone who they heard speaking French, whether they might have Maranschickens? That did not

work out. Eventually they found a railway officer from Bodegraven who knew someone on the Belgian / French border, who bred cuckoo-coloured Marans.

Thus, they received their first new blood-line. These chickens laid browner eggs than their own Marans. They sent them to the Europa Show in 1981 at SAVOA in Amsterdam and Co won Europe Champion Marans with a hen; Dirk came 2nd

with a rooster. From Mr. Otten, the secretary of SAVOA, they

received a few addresses of French breeders. After some correspondence, Co went on a pleasant day-out to Charles

Mattern in Hœnheim (near Strasbourg) with 20 of his Maranshatching eggs, in exchange for French eggs. However, this turned-out to be a big disappointment; for the French Marans

turned out to be of much lower quality than the Dutch! The French breeders, however, were delighted with the Marans from Co and

Dirk and asked for more hatching eggs. Their friendship with Charles Mattern had 'clicked' immediately. Together with him, they went to French exhibitions and began to enter their chickens

in those Shows. Soon they became famous figures in France and were often ‘officially’ welcomed to the French Shows. As a direct

result of both gentlemen, Marans flourished in France once again, and Co even received a distinction from the French Minister for Agriculture. For the record, they still have contact with Charles

Mattern!

Dirk and Co with

the Grand Prix

d’Honneur won in

Hœnheim, France,

1994.

How do you find chicken

breeders in another country? Here is a good tip from Co. Go

to a local pet store and ask: "Does anyone buy big bags of chicken food here?" - because whoever buys a lot of

chicken food, must have a lot of chickens. Yes, how simple can it be! For

example, this is exactly how he came into contact with the Austrian gamefowl breeder Mariann.

Left: Gamefowl breeders from

Austria, (both holding a rooster) to-

gether with Willem van Ballekom,

visiting Dirk at the Children’s Farm.

They will bring them some North-

French Game soon.

Right: Co is the one who is always doing the

talking and acting, while Dirk is more a thinker, a

writer and photographer.

In 1983, Co Tersteeg founded the French Chicken and Bantam Breeds Club (shortly the F.H.C.), of whom Co is again Chairman today and Dirk has

been secretary since 1996. In those years, the only French breeds in the Netherlands were the

Houdans and Faverolles; there were no La Flêche or Crève Coeurs - these latter ones do not seem to thrive in our climate, and are preferably kept in

sheltered surroundings or in hen houses. Step by step they brought all kinds of French breeds from

France to the Netherlands; also the bantams of most breeds, but they didn’t have Marans

bantams. In the countries around us, including Luxembourg, Belgium and of course France, they were recognized, but they were not to be found

there.

However, internationally renowned Dutch judge Annie Banning-Vogelpoel had a contact in the United States who bred Marans bantams, a Mr.

Fugate, who could arrange to send hatching eggs of the Marans bantams to the Netherlands. He in turn would like to have hatching eggs of the LF Marans. The

correspondence is still there, in Co's museum*. That Mr Fugate has been here in Holland too. He appeared to work at the CIA and knew a pilot who was willing to transport the eggs. So one day, all of a sudden, they were sat around the kitchen

table talking chickens with a CIA man.

But the American Marans bantams were cuckoo-coloured and had clean legs, just like those in England. In 1988, Dirk started to breed with the breed of "true French" Marans, along with fellow breeder Jan Ewald, under the highly optimistic

name: "D.J.Trophy Hunters". However, in the Netherlands there was little hope of trophies, because the Marans bantam was not recognized here. In 1994, their

efforts were rewarded and the Marans bantam in the colour black copper neck was included in the Poultry Standard. At that time many of their chicks went to Germany, where they were also wanted these bantams recognized; something

which succeeded in 1999.

*Museum: In the cellar under his house, Co has set up a museum of all kinds of collections related to the small animal hobby.

Many of the objects are very old and

often unique too; not only books and prints of chickens, but also of pigeons

and rabbits. Co was once a meritorious King Pigeon Breeder and Breeder of the Belgian Hare for years.

Also, exchanges of letters he has

conducted over the years with people in many countries, even America and Mexico, have been carefully stored in

folders.

Below: The breedings pens in Co’s stable.

La Flèche

A breed with noble appearance. Long time known, there

are pictures of La Flèche dating 500 years ago. Always

walking fierce and proud, the plumage smooth and tight.

On the head we find a comb consisting of two little

horns that together with the open nostrils give a very

special appearance. The most common colour is black.

Of this aristocratic breed there is also a bantam version

that is in no way subject to the large fowl. A breed for

the lover of beauty.

Crève-coeur

A very old breed, originating in Normandy, with a

striking head, adorned with a beard and a crest and not

to forget a horn comb with two somewhat V-shaped

horns. This breed is abundantly feathered, but has no

feathered legs and just the ‘normal’ 4 toes. They come

in black, white and blue variety. The Crève-coeur is a

rare breed.

Houdan

The Houdan is also a very old breed, with many

attributes: a full beard with two muffs, a crest, an

unusual butterfly-shaped comb and five toes. They exist

in the black mottle colour. The bantams of this breed

are perfect copies of the large ones. A popular breed by

all these details and therefore (especially in the bantam

size) not very rare.

Faverolles

We know this breed in

two different forms;

The French and German type. The Faverolles bantam is

of the German type. The Faverolles reflect the peace of

the good life in France. Characteristics are a upright

single comb, a beard, foot feather and five toes. They

are recognized in several colour varieties, of which the

beautiful salmon colour, with a totally different colour

pattern in rooster and hen, is best known. For the lover

of a calm breed, the Faverolles is absolutely to be

recommended; this also applies to the bantams.

Here you can read more on the Faverolles bantams:

http://www.aviculture-

europe.nl/nummers/05N02A05.pdf

Marans

Marans are also called "La Poule aux oeufs d'or" in

France, which means "the chicken with the golden

eggs". This breed lays beautiful big dark red-brown

eggs. They are recognized in various colour varieties.

Black copperneck is the most famous, but cuckoo,

white, black, silver cuckoo silver and gold-cuckoo are

also very attractive colours. Marans bantam hens are

also very good layers, summer and winter. Although

their eggs are not yet as brown as those of their larger

sisters, the fanciers are working on it. In addition to the special eggs, vitality, fertility and

rapid growth are positive qualities of this beautiful breed.

Here you can read more on the Marans and their breeding:

http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/13N06A03.pdf

Here you can read more on the Marans bantams and their breeding:

http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/06n06a05.pdf

Here you can read more on the genetics of the egg colour of the Marans:

http://www.aviculture-europe.nl/nummers/14N05A14.pdf

Bresse-Gauloise

This breed is the symbol of France; his image adorns

almost every church tower. The appearance is of a

common chicken; they are therefore mainly bred for

their excellent table quality. The real gourmet does not

just eat chicken, but 'Poule de Bresse'. There are

members of the special club specializing in the breeding

of Bresse-Gauloise for the utility qualities; vitality and

good laying qualities are also reason enough to breed

the Bresse-Gauloise.

Here you can read more on the Bresse-Gauloise:

http://www.aviculture-

europe.nl/nummers/07N02A04.pdf

The following three French breeds are not yet

recognised in the Netherlands:

The North-French Game (Combattant du Nord)

This is the latest addition to the French chicken breeds

in the Netherlands. It is a normally feathered gamefowl

breed with yellow skin and yellow (or olive green) legs.

They are recognized in various colour varieties, but in

the assessment the colour of the feathering is

dependent on the body type and the fiery appearance.

They also exist in three sizes: Le Grand Combattant du

Nord (the large one, weight rooster 4 to 5 kg; hen 2.5

to 4 kg); Le Petit Combattant du Nord (the small one,

rooster 1.25 to 1.50 kg; hen 1 to 1.25); and Le

Combattant du Nord Nain (the bantam, weight rooster

750 g, hen 625 g). The Large variety is now in the

Netherlands, but the gene-pool of this breed is still very limited.

Left: A limousine rooster.

Here you can read on the Limousine: http://www.aviculture-

europe.nl/nummers/17N01A05.pdf

Right:

Gournay bantams.

Here you can read on

the Gournay and

Gournay bantam:

http://www.aviculture-

europe.nl/nummers/10N01A03.pdf

In addition to the chickens, each men still has

several other animals on his 2000m2 piece of land. For example, Co has a few Toulouse geese, white

Call ducks, Guinea Fowl, King pigeons, mini pigs, an Eurasian Eagle-owl and a Great Grey owl. The last one is tame and comes sit on his arm. And there is

always room for something special; I

even saw a Kosovo Longcrower. Co has a large stable with separate breeding

pens for each breed on each side, and the attic is used as a meeting location for the members of the French Chicken

Club. Links: Co with his Great Grey owl.

Below: Wheather it concerns waterfowl,

chickens, pigeons or rabbits, they have

knowledge of the breeding and bring

good ones to the show.

Above: King pigeons.

Right: Soultzer Haube.

Many years ago Co was one of the

founders of the Dutch King Club. He

still breeds them, together with his daughter Danja, also the Soultzer Haube –

in particular because the latter is a French breed. Back then he also bred top

quality Belgian Hares.

Lately, Dirk works as a manager of the Children’s Farm in Montfoort and has

pigeons, turkeys, pearls, ducks and geese, rabbits, Ouessant sheep, and many of these animals are breeds of French origin! In addition, there are also a pot-

bellied pig and three ponies. This 'occupation' presents a lot more obligations, as he has to be present every day during opening hours for the public. At Co’s, that's just a little easier, also because his daughter lives close to his land

and is always willing to keep an eye on the animals when Co is going abroad for a few days.

Fortunately Dirk has some help from his grand-daughter Phoebe, who comes almost every day, often with a friend. The two girls are always happy to lend a hand with feeding or cleaning; although they are, of course, especially interested

in the ponies.

What has 40 years in the hobby brought them? What are the most beautiful memories? Almost simultaneously, both mention the international contacts. And

that still has not stopped; for example, they still exchange hatching eggs. They are always honest with everyone, and always help everyone; that

reinforces every friendship. Have there been black days in those 40

years? The answer is again unanimous. They are great friends, but there was indeed a short period

when they disagreed seriously about the Marans; as Co wanted to

select for exhibition quality, while Dirk wanted to select more for utility and egg colour, thus hoping

to find more fanciers interested in the breed. However, any difference

of opinions was sorted-out long ago.

The Standard has also been modified -

according with the standard in the parent country, France - so it's all the more

feasible. Nevertheless, they have not yet bred a Marans that had been awarded 97 points; and that is

something Co still hopes to achieve one day.

Left: A Cayuga drake.

Onder: Indian Runners.

and a Rouen drake.

Is the hobby still something of these

Times? Yes, they think it is ! For them it was important at the time they joined the local club together (and with a few

more new members). Being a 'newbie' together is more fun, and makes you

stand a bit stronger before the established order. They see the future as

positive. Everything is a little easier

nowadays, including the contacts with judges and the Standard Committee. Although, they do put in a lot of effort in

as well; for example with the French Chicken Club; as when requested, they

take various breeds to the Show where judges have to do their exams. (These rare breeds are not often entered and

without the birds, the judges would not be able to do their exams.) The annual

Club Day is also open for interested judges, who will reap its benefits later

when judging. Also the new plans for recognition are a positive step; colour varieties already recognized in other European countries in a breed can now be

recognized in the Netherlands without first presenting them to the Standard Committee. Very nice, because Dirk also has some cuckoo and wheaten Marans

in his runs that lay beautiful brown eggs. Now he will be able to show them and, more importantly, arouse interest at other breeders.

Left: A Toulouse gander and a Canada

goose.

And the bird flu? It casts its shadow over the coming exhibition season like a dark

cloud. “Then let's see if the Show season can be shifted to late spring or late summer; finally, in France and England

they show throughout the year. Who knows, in consultation with the

government, permission can be obtained to show strictly at local club shows, so that there is virtually no wide-felt

movement of the chickens.

Yes”, they decide unani-mously, “that's also a beautiful

thought, as all in all, the local clubs are the basis of the hobby.”

Right: Cauchois pigeons at the

roof of the dovecote.

Left: White Fantails. These

pigeons are easily satisfied with

even such a small dovecote.

Here ends my report of a day when I saw and learned so

much. Hopefully I have given you a realistic picture of Co and

Dirk, two dyed-in-the-wool breeders who, hopefully, can share their knowledge with us all

for a long time to come.

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