Homemade Finch Cage

Finches, like all pet birds, need adequate shelter. Bird enclosures can become quite expensive, so, for those bird owners who are handy with a hammer, building a cage themselves can be a feasible option. Every good pet owner wants to ensure his bird's health and happiness in its new home. When constructing a cage yourself, consider several important aspects before you start to build. Finches are small birds, so a cage designed for flight can be as small as 36 inches wide by 15 inches high and deep.

  1. Use Nontoxic Wood for Framing

    • Because finches, and all birds, are such sensitive creatures, the materials used should not be toxic or harmful in any way. Any wood products used must be completely untreated and well sanded to avoid any splinters which might harm your bird. Explain your situation to any salespeople helping you when purchasing the wood for this project to ensure that you get the correct type of wood.

    Choose Nontoxic Metal Products

    • Like wood, choosing nontoxic metal is key to ensuring your finch's health when building your own bird cage. Any metal that is treated with zinc or lead should not be used, as both are toxic. Galvanized metal is also toxic for birds and should be avoided. Stainless steel or powdercoated wire mesh will work fine, although it may be costly. When working with wire mesh, make sure all wire edges are properly finished so that there are no exposed ends which may cut you or your bird. For finches, a wire mesh that has a 1/2-inch opening size works well, but you must regularly clip their nails so they do not get caught in the fine mesh.

    Keep Cleaning In Mind

    • It is easy when building to get caught up in the process and forget practical aspects of the structure you are building. All bird cages need to be cleaned regularly, so any building plan you are using should have a removable drawer at the base of the cage for cleaning purposes. If it does not, it should at least have a door large enough to make cleaning easy. Reevaluate your plans if neither of these aspects are included.

    Appropriate Climbing Structures

    • Having finished assembling your bird cage, you will need to include climbing structures for your finches. Wooden dowel may seem like the best option, but in fact it provides your birds with little exercise. Instead, use real branches from nonpoisionous trees such as fruit trees. Choose branches free of any visible mites or other insects which might infect your bird. Wash the branches before fitting them in your cage to remove any pollutants such as pesticides, which could harm a finch. When selecting branches make sure they can easily fit through the cage door so they can be removed for cleaning. To clean, simply wipe them down with a damp cloth and replace them when they become brittle.