Preserving the Bruges Fighter – Part V:

My Participation in Major Belgian Poultry Shows

In 2026 and beginning of 2027 I participated in several major poultry exhibitions, including the International Gamefowl Show – Vechthoendershow in Linter (November 2026), the International Small Livestock Show – 46th International Kleinveetententoonstelling in Affligem (November 2026), the Belgian Heritage Championship – 4th Edition (January 2027), and the national competition in Battice (January 2027).

At each of these events, I entered more than fifty Brugse Vechters. I did this for one simple reason: I am currently the only Belgian breeder who maintains all existing bloodlines of this historic breed. Presenting them together in competition allowed me to evaluate the full spectrum of my breeding program at once — something that had never been done before.

Self-criticism is essential for progress, and I embrace it fully. Unfortunately, many breeders do not. For me, these shows were an opportunity to test the limits of my work, compare bloodlines directly, and determine which birds truly represented top quality.

Another motivation was my concern regarding the current judging standards of the breed in Belgium. In my experience, the level of expertise varies greatly, and scoring is often overly generous. By presenting so many Brugse Vechters at once, I wanted to challenge the judging system and highlight the complexity of evaluating this breed properly.

In my opinion, there is only one person fully competent to judge this breed with true depth of knowledge: my mentor and breed expert Joost De Meyer. Following his advice, I went through my birds after the show season with a butcher’s eye for quality. I kept only the very best individuals. Many breeders would have simply resold their birds — something I refuse to do. Integrity in breeding is extremely important to me.

I do not need to hold on to bloodlines in Europe, as I maintain the same genetic diversity in Africa as well. My focus is on preserving and improving the Brugse Vechter responsibly, honestly, and with long-term vision.

Starting in 2027, I will no longer keep poultry in Belgium. My full focus will shift to my breeding flocks in Africa, where I maintain the same genetic diversity. I will participate one last time in the European Championship in Kielce, Poland 2028— more for the experience and the fun of it — before dedicating myself entirely to Africa.

Because I can still obtain official rings from Belgium, I am able to send birds directly from Africa to the European Championship 2028 without any problem. I am willing to make the additional costs involved, as preserving and promoting the Brugse Vechter remains my long-term mission.

I wish to state explicitly that neither I nor AOBA consider ourselves “experts” in the Bruges Fighter. We simply had the good fortune of inheriting what we have. All credit belongs to the breeders who came before us.

Special thanks
I would like to thank Joost De Meyer, a true master breeder of Brugse Vechter, for his guidance and valuable advice. His knowledge and passion are a great inspiration to me as a starting breeder.

Jean Kiala-Inkisi
President – African Ornamental Breeders Association (AOBA)