If you want to add to the quality of life for your pet bird, building a cage may be the best way to go! Bird cages are much larger than regular cages and can be placed indoors or outdoors. With a little planning and effort, you can build a great cage for your pet bird to keep it happy and safe at all times.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Calculating Dimensions and Gathering Materials
Step 1. Determine the size of the bird cage you want to make
Before starting this project, you should know the body size of the pet bird. This will affect the size of the cage that is made along with the appropriate wire for the size of the bird.
- Budgies, canaries, pigeons, finches, and lovebirds are categorized as small birds.
- Mini parrots, parrots, parrots, parrots, and parrots are categorized as medium-sized birds.
- African gray birds, amazon birds, caiques, cockatoos, and macaws are categorized as large birds.
- Moluccan cockatoos, Hyacinth cockatoos, golden macaws, and red macaws are categorized as extra large birds.
Step 2. Calculate the volume of the cage based on the size and number of your pet birds
The minimum size limit for your cage is determined by the size of the pet bird. All dimensions below assume that there is only 1 bird in the cage. In general, you can multiply the cage volume by the number of birds 1.5 times for each additional bird.
- Small bird cage: Width: 51 cm; Depth: 51cm; Height: 61cm; Volume: 29, 300 cm.
- Medium aviary: Width: 64 cm; Depth: 81cm; Height: 89cm; Volume: 71,000 cm.
- Large aviary: Width: 89 cm; Depth: 100cm; Height: 130cm; Volume: 180, 000 cm.
- Extra large aviary: Width: 100 cm; Depth: 130cm; Height: 150cm; Volume: 300,000 cm.
Step 3. Determine the proper wire spacing and measure
The type of wire used to cover the cage must be adjusted to the size of the pet bird. Use stainless steel wire and galvanized wire. The galvanizing process is usually used to coat iron or steel with zinc.
- Small bird cages are wired 1.3 cm apart with a wire diameter of 2 mm.
- The aviary is being wired 1.6 cm to 2 cm apart with a wire diameter of 2.5 mm.
- Large bird cages are wired 2 cm to 1.3 cm apart with a wire diameter of 3.5 mm.
- Extra large bird cages are wired 2.5 cm to 3.2 cm apart with a wire diameter of 0.5 cm.
Step 4. Use paper and pencil to draw a plan for the cage frame design
To make the process easier, make a cage from several pieces of the same size blocks put together. For example, if you are building a cage for small birds, each truss beam should be 61 cm high and 51 cm wide. Since the depth must be up to 61 cm, connect the front and rear frames on each side to 2 additional frames so that a total of 6 frames are used to make the cage frame.
Use the same formula for cages of different sizes. However, if you have your own cage design, feel free to use it – there are many other, more complex options. Just remember, the process of making it will feel more difficult because you are not experienced
Step 5. Purchase the required materials from the nearest material store
To make the truss beam, use four pieces of wood measuring 5 x 5 cm for each side. The actual length of the log can be changed based on the dimensions of the cage, but buy a little more just in case. To connect the wood, you will need 8 10 cm long wood connection screws for each piece of the frame.
- Consider building a small birdcage using 6 wooden frames 61 cm high and 51 cm wide. Since each frame piece consists of 4 pieces of wood, in total you will need 24 pieces of wood (15 x 10 cm) – 12 pieces of wood measuring 61 cm and 12 pieces of wood measuring 51 cm.
- If you don't want to cut the wood yourself at home, tell the dimensions of the aviary you're going to make to the clerk at the materials store so he can help you.
- For the type of wood, use maple, pine, almond, bamboo, or eucalyptus. Do not use toxic wood to make bird cages, such as juniper, yew, and redwood.
Method 2 of 3: Building the Cage Frame
Step 1. Cut the purchased 5 x 5 wood as needed
If you don't hire a professional, use a circular saw to cut it. Mark the ends of the wood with a pencil and ruler. After that, press the trigger on the back of the saw handle and use your dominant hand to aim it at the wood while holding it firmly with your non-dominant hand.
Apply pressure to the wood with your non-dominant hand to keep it steady
Step 2. Lay the pieces of wood into a square to make the frame
Find a flat, open area – such as a garage – and place 4 5 x 5 pieces of wood to form the frame. Make sure the width and height can be combined vertically instead of horizontally. Now, you have to find the parts that are still not perfect (eg a piece of wood that is too long) and fix it. Make sure there are enough pieces of wood to make an aviary and make sure that each piece is parallel to each other.
- For a frame that is 51 cm wide and 61 cm high, start by aligning the left and right elongated sections. After that, connect the section with the top and bottom connecting wood.
- Do not join the pieces of wood before placing them parallel to form a complete frame first.
Step 3. Connect each piece of wood to the frame with plumber's tape and nails
Use a tin cutter to prepare four 5 cm long sheets of plumbing tape to attach to each side of the frame. Line up each of the sheets horizontally at the top and bottom corners of the wood that extends and extends. After that, insert two 2.5 cm screws into each of the tapes to secure them and create the frame pieces that look together.
- Make sure that a 2 inch (5 cm) piece of plumbing tape is attached to each piece of wood.
- You can replace the plumbing tape with a corner joint and secure it with screws. However, this method is more expensive and takes more time.
Method 3 of 3: Installing the Wire Mesh
Step 1. Align the assembled frame pieces on the floor
If you are making a small aviary, you should have 6 pieces of truss that are 61 cm high and 51 cm wide. Lay these frames on a flat surface horizontally, parallel to each other before starting to wire.
Make sure the height and width of each truss piece is straight and parallel to the height and width of the other truss pieces
Step 2. Connect each frame piece with 8 10 cm screws
After joining the frame pieces together with plumbing tape, connect them with 4 screws placed in each of the right and left corners of the extending wood – the 2 screws on each side should be parallel to the plumbing tape – and install an equal number of screws into the bottom wood.. Leave about 1.3 cm of space between each piece of truss, then attach the screws closest to the perimeter of the same length.
Recheck the position of the frame and adjust it as necessary before installing the screws. For example, if the top corner of the frame is slightly bent, remove the plumbing tape, reposition it, and then re-tighten it
Step 3. Cut the wire mesh as needed with a can cutter
Make sure each side of the cage except the bottom has the same piece of wire. For example, a cage made of 6 pieces of frame requires 6 pieces of netting measuring 61 x 51 cm.
Leave an extra 5 x 8 wire net just in case you make a mistake
Step 4. Attach the wire mesh with the staple gun
Use a staple gun along the perimeter of each square frame. Space each staple about 5 to 8 cm.
If you make a mistake, remove the staple with a flat-head screwdriver or a stapler
Step 5. Make a hole in the front of the wire mesh cage as a door
Use a wire cutter to make a hole in the door just enough for the bird to fit in – about 210 cm. Now, measure the opening and prepare the wire mesh with a slightly larger size.
Remember, you must be able to access the inside of the cage to clean it. So, it's best to make a rather large opening
Step 6. Attach the door to the cage with a cable tie or cage clamp
Hold the door in front of the mesh opening. Make sure the excess wire mesh is evenly distributed on all sides. After that, wrap a cable tie or cage clamp around the perimeter of the door and use it to secure the door to the cage.
Tighten the tie or clamp until there is no opening between the door and the cage to prevent the bird from escaping
Step 7. Make a floor for the cage to be placed outdoors
Even if you can use a concrete floor as a base for the cage, this is a bit more labor intensive and is only recommended for large outdoor enclosures that require a strong foundation. For a standard aviary, attach the wire mesh to the bottom of the cage with a staple gun. After that, place gravel or sand on the bottom.
