How to Build a Large Bird Cage

Building your own bird cage can be very rewarding. This article explains how to build a large cage for housing finches or other small birds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 16 1x2 Fir
• 2 Rolls 1/2" wire mesh
• Two hinges
• Small latch

1. First, cut the pieces to size. You'll need 6 uprights - these are 1x2 by 6 feet, so no cutting is needed here, just set 6 fir strips aside for later.

2. 
   Cutting the rails.

   You will need 13 rail pieces, 6 for the top, 6 for the bottom and 1 for the top of the door frame. These are 22.5 inches long, with a 60 degree angle cut on each end.

3. 
   Completed side panel. You will have six of these.

   Now build the side panels by attaching one top rail and one bottom rail to each of the 6 upright pieces. Use dowels and waterproof glue here for best results. The top rail is flush with the top of the upright while the bottom of the bottom rail is one foot from the edge. On one of the side panels, put an extra rail 3 feet above the bottom rail. This panel will contain the door to the cage.

4. You can now assemble the six side panels together, forming a hexagon shaped framework. Again, use dowels and waterproof glue.

5. 
   View of top and bottom of cage showing cross piece between rails and optional support for the bottom panel.

   Measure the distance between two opposing uprights and cut two pieces of fir to fit between them - one for the top and one for the bottom. You may also want to put cross pieces on the bottom at a 90 degree angle to the main cross piece for extra support.

6. 
   Detail of side panel showing door frame.

   Now put 2 3-foot upright pieces on the side panel containing the extra rail to frame an opening for the door. Use dowels to secure the bottom of the uprights to the bottom rail, then drill two holes through the top door rail above each door frame upright and secure with wood screws.

7. You are now ready to staple the wire mesh onto the framework. I used 1/2" galvanized, welded steel mesh - the stuff used to build small animal cages. Buy 2 2x25' rolls and cut them into 10 5' lengths.

8. 
   Detail showing placement of one of the two 2x5' pieces of mesh. Trim mesh, allowing at least 1

   Staple the mesh to the top side of the bottom rails first. This is important because you will want to fold the edges over the sides of the rails so there are no sharp edges inside the cage. The bottom of the cage will require two of the 2x5' lengths of mesh. Run the seam along the support you placed between the two uprights.

9. With the bottom done, move on to the sides, starting with the door frame panel first and working around the cage. Make sure you cut out and save the mesh over the door opening, as you will need this later to cover the door. Also be sure to place the mesh 1/2" above the top rail, so you can fold it over the top for a smooth finish.

10. Once the sides are all covered, move on to the top, covering it in the same manner are the bottom, except trim the mesh 1/8" SMALLER than the outer edges of the top rails, as you do not want to fold the edges over the sides on the top.

11. 
    Illustration of door.

    Now measure the door opening and make a mitered frame out of 4 pieces of fir, 1/4" smaller than the frame opening. This will be your door. Nail the pieces together as shown in the illustration, then staple the mesh you saved from the door cutout over the door, trimming it 1/8" shorter than the door, all the way around.

12. After the door is assembled and the mesh stapled on to it, attach it to the door frame on the cage with two hinges. It's up to you where you want the place the hinges - on the right, left, top or bottom of the door. Mine is hinged on the left side. You will also need to attach a latch to keep the door securely closed. Again, this is up to you as to the type and placement of the latch.

13. Congratulations! You've just completed your bird cage. If you look closely at the picture of my cage you will notice slide out drawers at the bottom to catch the fallen seed. Building these drawers requires a higher skill level, so I've decided to write a separate article on building slide out drawers for your cage. You can just put newspapers under the cage if the drawers seem too difficult.

Tips & Warnings

• Use dowels and waterproof glue to assemble the pieces of your cage to give it a finished look.
• If you decide to use wood screws instead, consider covering the frame with molding after putting on the mesh.
• Make sure you use a waterproof glue, not a standard wood glue. You may want to hose down the cage for cleaning, especially if you keep it outside.
• Also be sure when applying the mesh to the frame that you start with the bottom first, and fold the excess mesh over the sides of the frame. This way, there will be no sharp edges inside the cage to injure the birds.

[robertstroud]

on 1/15/2009 In response to maddoxman: You need to do more in-depth research regarding galvanized mesh and wood for the construction of large aviaries. The use of these materials is VERY common. However, as with any undertaking, it must be done correctly. Done correctly, galvanized mesh and wood are perfect materials for the task -- when done correctly. Also, as an example, comments about toxic effects on birds should be made from a position of knowledge. Comments such as yours may cause a person to give up on having a wonderful, large aviary built affordably when the commercial ones are far out of reach because of high cost. Two final points: There is a method for scrubbing galvanized mesh rendering it non-toxic (you do the research to learn THAT, sir). Moreover, Finches do not chew as do hookbills. Do homework...don't turn folks away from doing things for themselves, when what you have to

[robertstroud]

on 1/15/2009 In response to maddoxman: You need to do more in-depth research regarding galvanized mesh and wood for the construction of large aviaries. The use of these materials is VERY common. However, as with any undertaking, it must be done correctly. Done correctly, galvanized mesh and wood are perfect materials for the task -- when done correctly. Also, as an example, comments about toxic effects on birds should be made from a position of knowledge. Comments such as yours may cause a person to give up on having a wonderful, large aviary built affordably when the commercial ones are far out of reach because of high cost. Two final points: There is a method for scrubbing galvanized mesh rendering it non-toxic (you do the research to learn THAT, sir). Moreover, Finches do not chew as do hookbills. Do homework...don't turn folks away from doing things for themselves, when what you have to

[constancelanlan]

on 12/10/2008 Dear,
We are a wire mesh manufacturer in China,we produce many knids of wire mesh.If you have any need,please feel free to let me know.My email is [e-mail] MSN is [e-mail].

[maddoxman]

on 8/8/2008 Do not use Galvanized Wire Mesh. Zinc is toxic to birds (and us, for that matter) if ingested, and can
kill them. Use Powder coated or Stainless steel crimped
mesh.

You could also use Vinyl or Plasticoat mesh for birds
that don't chew on the cage, such as finches or doves.

I should also note that wood cannot be disinfected
with 100% certainty, and can harbor disease.

I'm not saying that this article is bad, or that you
shouldn't build your own cage. Just do a little bit of
research on your materials first.