How to Build Wooden Chinese Bird Cages

Create your own style with a unique bird cage.

You may find different wooden Chinese bird cages out in the market, but nothing suits your taste. It is perfect to create your very own bird cage since you can customize it according to your bird's needs. Building a bird cage entirely by yourself is enjoyable and rewarding at the same time. Before setting out the plan, make sure of the bird's needs. The cage varies upon the type of bird and the location where you plan to put it.

Things You'll Need

• Staple gun
• 2 Bar clamps
• 1/8-inch hook and eye ring
• 4 3/4-inch wooden dowels
• 2 1/4-inch wooden dowel; 6 inches long
• 2 1/4-inch wooden dowel; 10 inches long
• Waterproof wood glue
• 4 Wood trims; 2-by-2, 20 inches long
• 4 Wood trims; 2-by-2, 30 inches long
• 2 Wood; 1-by-1/4, 16 inches long
• 2 Wood; 1-by-1/4 26 inches long
• Measuring tape
• Sandpaper
• 2 hinges
• Small brush
• Drill
• Hammer
• Tin snips
• Wire mesh (20-lb. test)

Instructions

1. Arrange the two pieces of 20-inch long wood trims on a flat surface parallel to each other. Make sure that they are 20 inches apart.

2. Form right angles at the top and bottom by putting the remaining two pieces between the first two. Use a pencil to mark the areas where the pieces of wood meet.

3. Dip the small brush in the waterproof wood glue. Apply it on the areas where the wood pieces meet.

4. Reassemble the pieces and, using the two bar clamps, fix them together. Let the glue dry.

5. Take the clamps off from the frame. Mark a point on each corner, 1 inch away from the outside end with a pencil.

6. Drill a 1/4-inch deep hole in each marked corner with the drill. Position each 3/4-inch wooden dowel to each 1/4-inch hole. Use a hammer to secure the dowels are fully in each hole.

7. Make the top of the Chinese bird cage by repeating Steps 1 to 6 using four pieces of 2-by-2, 30-inch long wood trims.

8. Use a pencil to indicate the center of each wood trim side pieces' end. Drill a 1/2-inch deep, 1/4-inch hole in each piece's marked end.

9. Dip the brush in the waterproof wood glue. Apply the glue on the dowels located at the bottom frame. Do the same thing on the end of each side piece and holes; put them together.

10. Get the brush and dip it in the waterproof wood glue. Apply it on the dowels located at the top frame. Do the same thing on the end of each side piece and holes; put them together.

11. Use the hammer to firmly insert each dowel in the holes.

12. Assemble all the wood pieces for the door frame of the cage. Put pencil marks to remember their positions. Repeat Steps 3 and 4.

13. Use the sandpaper to smooth the surfaces. Screw the two hinges about 6 inches from the ends of the door side.

14. Fix the door on one side of the cage. Use the screw to attach the hinges to the frame. Screw the eye hook to the frame of the bird cage and the hook on the door.

15. Prepare pieces of 20-pound test wire mesh. Use tin snips to cut it according to the length of the five sides of the cage and the door frame. Secure the mesh to the wooden cage's frame using a staple gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use paint and galvanized metal for the bird cage. This can be toxic to the bird.

References

• Pet Care Education: How to Build a Bird Cage