Make a Bird Cage
A bird is an enjoyable companion to have around. And you, as the pet's owner, need to provide your bird with everything it needs to live happily and healthily. One of those basic needs being a bird cage. Large cages which provide your bird with the appropriate amount of space can be expensive and unattractive. Making your own solves both problems! Just get started with Step 1!
Steps
- Gather your materials. You'll need plywood or MDF at 1/2" thickness, 1x2 lumber, four 2x2 pieces of lumber, strong metal cage wire (poultry wire or similar), wood glue, 2.5" decking screws, hinges, and a saw. You can optionally add casters if you want the cage to be easily movable.
- The wood you choose for making the cage should be very hard like plywood and the netting or wiring should not be painted but simply electroplated.
- Cut the posts. Cut the 2x2 lumber to 72" lengths. These will be the vertical posts.
- Cut the front/back panel pieces. You'll need the following cuts of 1x2 lumber:
- Two pieces at 72"
- Three pieces at 45"
- Cut the side panel pieces. You'll need the following cuts of 1x2 lumber:
- Four pieces at 36"
- Four pieces at 33"
- Cut the top and bottom pieces. You'll need solid pieces of MDF or plywood, each cut to 36"x51".
- Assemble the panels. Using decking screws, screw through the narrow side of the long pieces and into the ends of the short pieces. You should end up with two large panels for the front and back at 48"x72" with a bar in the middle. You should also have four square frames for the sides, each at 36x36".
- Cut and attach the wire. Cut wire that is big enough to cover the center of the frames and extend onto the frames themselves. Using a staple gun, staple the wire to wood frame on what will become the inside of the panels. You can soften the edges and keep things from getting caught on them by tracing the edge of the wire with silicon or caulk.
- Attach the panels. Attach the front panels to the posts, so that the edges are flush, using the decking screws. Then attach just one of the side panels on each side, one flush with the top and one flush with the bottom. Set the remaining two side panels aside to become the doors. You should now have a 36"x51"x72" box.
- Attach the top, bottom, and wheels. Using decking screws, screw the top and bottom pieces into the posts, two screws to a post. If you want wheels, attach caster wheels into the posts using the manufacturer's instructions.
- Create the doors. Attach the remaining two panels by placing two hinges on each side, one half attached to the door, the other half attached to the the center piece on the other side panel. This should leave you with a cage door on either side: one on top to add food and interact with the birds, the other at the bottom to aid in cleaning.
- Line the bottom of the bird cage. Line the bottom of the cage with a flattened garbage bag and then wood chips, newspaper, or other appropriate lining material.
- Place food and water bowls. You can mount the food trays to the wire or wood, or place them elsewhere in the cage, depending on what is best for your bird.
- Add entertainment features. Birds need perches and toys. Birds spend a lot of their time on perches. Place them in varying heights within the cage. Some good toys for your bird are mirrors, ladders, and bells. These keep your bird from becoming bored.
Tips
- Make the cage more fascinating by adding mirrors, ladders, balls so that your bird never gets bored.
Warnings
- Place the cage away from direct sunlight
- If you have two birds, do not give them a mirror.
Things You'll Need
- perches
- ply board
- nails
- hammer
- wire cage material
- toys
- food and water bowls
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