DIY Flight Cages for Pet Birds

A flight cage can substantially improve a pet bird's life. Providing a pet bird with a flight cage allows the bird to exercise and therefore reduces the risk of obesity and related health problems. Ideally, a flight cage should be three times the width of a bird's wingspan, six times its length and four times its height (Reference 3). For larger birds, it may be necessary to upgrade the lumber size from 2-by-2 inches to 2-by-4 inches.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-2 inch untreated lumber
  • Square or rectangular wire mesh
  • Wood staples
  • Wire cutters
  • Hammer
  • Saw
  • Nails
  • J clips or small O rings
  • Hook and eye lock with spring lock
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut four pieces of lumber to the height of your cage. If you wish to use a tray under your cage, add 2 inches to each board. These pieces will be the four corners of your cage.

    • 2

      Cut the rest of your lumber to fit inside of these four pieces; this means you need to subtract 4 inches from the desired length and width of your cage to get the proper cut length for the rest of your lumber.

    • 3

      Nail your lumber together to form the rectangular frame of your cage. Remember to leave 2 inches of space at the bottom if you will be using a tray.

    • 4

      Measure and cut the wire mesh so that it will cover each side of the cage, including the bottom. Attach the wire mesh to the outside of the wood frame using the wood staples.

    • 5

      Locate an area along the bottom edge of the cage to cut out a door. Make sure that the door is large enough to fit the bird and your hand at the same time. Cut the wire for the door so that the hole has smooth edges.

    • 6

      Using the wire mesh removed from the door hole as a template, cut a replacement door with smooth edges from unused mesh. Attach the new door to the cage by placing J clips or small O rings along the top edge of the door.

    • 7

      Screw the hook end of a spring locking hook and eye lock in to the wood frame below the door. For larger birds you might want to use more than one. Be sure that the lock is not too far away from the cage door and is lined up in a way that it can catch on to the wire mesh of the door securely.