In the late sixties, at age seven and eight, I found myself the official tag along assistant to my neighbor as he live-trapped pigeons at the local grain elevators. A converted shed in his backyard was our coop for selective breeding and flying our birds. I was bitten by the bug!
A move to Maryland in the early seventies, and I started thinking of my own coop and birds. Each year I would drag my father to the Hagerstown Fair, where I would spend hours looking and learning about the pigeons and doves being shown there. I was also lucky enough to meet and become friends with Mr. Kenneth Green, Sr. (Hagerstown, MD). He is easily the largest single influence on me and my raising birds. A generous man with his knowledge and help, I thank him! My 13th birthday found my father and I in the local lumber yard, selecting the wood and hardware needed to build my first coop. With the help of Mr. Green, my father and I designed, built, and stocked the coop with Rollers and Tumblers. Ever learning, I bred for color and type and was rewarded with many ribbons and trophies for my efforts. The enjoyment of sitting out back, watching my birds fly, was also hard to beat.
Over the years, a few more coops and flights were added. My collection also grew, adding Racing Pigeons, Ringneck Doves, Golden Pheasants, and Darkin High Flyers. I continued breeding for better and better quality and enjoyed my birds all through high school. The late seventies and early eighties found me at Virginia Tech, pursuing degrees in Animal Sciences and Biology. Through the generous help of Mom, Dad and younger brother, I was able to keep the best of my birds through college, enjoying them through summers, missing them the rest of the year. Knowing how I missed my birds, two very good friends of mine gave me my first pair of Diamond Doves. Thank you Tom and Lisa! (Never thought it would lead to this, huh?) I've had Diamonds with me ever since. With graduation and work , I found it necessary to sell my collection and coops. But have always been able to keep some Diamond Doves with me.
In the early nineties, my wife and I purchased an 1850's townhouse in Historic Downtown Frederick, Maryland. I immediately started designing and building flights and cages for the long, narrow back yard. I built cages and a large flight in the dirt floor basement to winter the birds., and the beginning of Maple Tree Aviaries was started. With the help of Mr. Green and a new friend, Garrie Landry (Acadiana Aviaries), my collection and quality of Diamond Doves grew. Through Garrie, I have learned much more about mutations, color quality and genetics of Diamond Doves. I greatly appreciate his help and value his friendship. A visit to his site is a must! It is also through Garrie's help that the birth and construction of this site was made possible.
At present my collection includes: Diamond Doves, Zebra Doves, and Button Quail. My concentration mainly on the Diamond Doves and their color mutations. My breeding pairs include, Normals, Silvers, Blue White Tails, Silver White Tails, Yellows, Yellow White Tails, Cinnamons and Reds. My favorite are the Reds with intense color the goal. I am also breeding for Snow Whites(or as white a bird as I can get). I've paired many Yellows, Silver White Tails (split Yellow) and Yellow White Tails to this multi-generation task. I produce very good color Cinnamons and Blue White Tails right now. Always call or e-mail for bird availability before ordering. I will post what I have available as best I can.
My goals for this site include collecting and providing information regarding the care, keeping, feeding and breeding of Diamond Doves as well as offering the birds I raise for sale to others. I greatly appreciate any and all help and suggestions you may have in bettering this site for others.
Thank you for taking the time to visit my site,
Jeff Downing
