How to Build a Nest Front

Nest boxes can be purchased at retail stores, but building a homemade nest box can express creativity and provide the birds in the area with a customized nesting place. Nest fronts are the front panels of nesting boxes, which can be made to swivel for easy cleaning and generally have a hole in the front. This hole allows birds to enter the nest and avoid predators that may attack the birds that nest on perches or tree branches.

Things You'll Need

  • 6mm plywood
  • Measuring tape
  • Saw
  • Tank cutter or circular saw
  • Sand paper
  • Wood glue
  • 2 screws or hinges (optional)
  • Latch (optional)
  • Paint (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and cut your 6mm plywood to 9 1/2-by-7 1/2 inches to make a standard nest front. This can be done using a standard saw or a power saw.

    • 2

      Cut a hole in the piece of plywood using a tank cutter or a circular saw. For a standard nest front, the diameter of the hole should be about 2 1/4 inches. The hole can be made larger or smaller to accommodate the types of birds that frequent your area.

    • 3

      Make the plywood smooth by sanding the wood down with sand paper or an electric sander. Make the inside of the hole and both sides of the nest front smooth and free of splinters.

    • 4

      Decide whether you would like the front panel of the nest to be movable so you can open it and clean the nest. If you desire, you can make another panel, such as the top panel, adjustable instead. If you desire to have the nest front fixed, attach the panel to the rest of your nest using nail-free wood glue.

    • 5

      Insert one screw into the top left part of the nest front, and another screw in the top right, so the panel is mobile and can swing in and out for cleaning if you desire. The screws can be substituted for hinges. Attach a latch to the bottom of the nest front so you can latch it closed when you are not cleaning it.

    • 6

      Paint or varnish the nest front as you desire. You can also paint designs onto it if you please. Choose non-toxic paint or varnish so you do not harm the birds housed in your nest. Let the paint or varnish dry completely before setting up your bird's nest.