How to Build a Wire Bird Cage
Datetime:2013-01-15 Hits:
How to Build a Wire Bird Cage
Because your pet bird is one-of-a-kind, it deserves a home to match its unique personality. Making your own wire bird cage might be easier than you think. All it takes to create a cage is some mesh wire, which you can cut and bend into the shape you desire. Create a habitat that is specifically tailored to your bird's size. When your wire bird cage is finished, add toys and perches your bird will love.
Instructions
1 Sketch a design of your wire bird cage. Decide how large you want the cage to be, taking into consideration the size of your bird and its need for movement. For example, a cage for a small bird should be at least 18-by-18-by-18 inches large. Write down the dimensions of the cage.
2 Select a mesh wire that will be appropriate for your bird. Make sure it's small enough to prevent the animal from slipping through or getting its head stuck between wires. Also, ensure the wire material is free of zinc, a coating that can be toxic to your pet.
Buy the wire in a width that is sufficient to cover the shorter of the two dimensions -- height or width -- of your planned cage. For instance, if each face of the cage is 18 inches by 18 inches, the roll of wire cannot be less than 18 inches wide. Make sure the roll's total length is sufficient to cover the combined length of all six faces of the cage, as noted in your design.
3 Lay the wire on a flat surface. Mark off the total length of the top, left side, bottom and right side of the cage. Use tin snips to cut one piece of the material equal in length to the combined measurement.
4 Use a measuring tape to mark the desired measurements of the top, left side, bottom and right side of the cage. This will create the markings where you will bend the cage to create its shape.
5 Create 90-degree bends at each of the marked points. To do this, place a 2-by-4 piece of wood across the width of the wire at the measurement marking. Fold the wire against the wood piece with your hands or a hammer, using the wood as a guide. Make these bends at each of the three marks.
6 Fasten the seam of the bent wire, where its ends connect, using J-clips and pliers. Attach these J-shaped clips every 4 inches.
7 Make the front and back of the bird cage from the wire. Measure exactly how large each of these two pieces need to be, using the open part of the bent bird cage frame as a reference. Cut the pieces from the wire mesh with tin snips.
8 Attach the front and back wire mesh pieces to the cage using J-clips. Place the clips every 4 inches along the seam. You should now have a sealed cage.
9 Cut out a hole in the bird cage using tin snips to create the door opening. A door about 6 inches wide and 9 inches high will work for most small bird cages.
10 Snip an additional piece of wire that is slightly larger than the door hole you created. Attach this piece to the door opening. Connect the right side with two or three J-clips. On the left side, secure a spring-loaded latch, which will allow you to open the door and then securely lock it back in place.
