How to Make a Bird Climbing Net With Manila Hemp

Many parrots come from the rain forest and like to climb. A rope climbing net provides a pet bird with a climbing area that mimics the bounce and sway of the hanging foliage and vines they would find in their native habitat. Purchasing a bird climbing net can be expensive; as of early 2010, a medium-size, 3- by 4-foot manila hemp rope net costs about $120. Making a bird climbing net at home is a much less expensive option. And your bird won't know the difference.

Things You'll Need

  • 200 or more feet of 5/8-inch manila hemp rope
  • Measuring tape
  • Sharp scissors
  • Masking tape
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Instructions

    • 1
      An example of a natural fiber rope.

      For a 3- by 4-foot climbing net with 6-inch squares, 3-inch rope frays around the outside and a hanging loop in each corner, cut seven pieces of rope 84 inches long, five pieces of rope 108 inches long, and one piece of rope 34 feet long. Wrap masking tape around all cut edges of the rope to keep them from fraying.

    • 2
      An example of an overhand knot.

      Find the exact middle of the 34-foot rope. Fold the rope in half at the middle and measure 12 inches down. Make a loop, and tie an overhand knot.

    • 3

      Measure 6 inches from the base of the overhand knot and, using one side of the 34-foot rope and one piece of the 84-inch rope, create a Japanese bend knot. Leave about 3 inches of overhang from the 84-inch rope to fray later. Measure 6 inches from that knot and create another Japanese bend knot, leaving a 3-inch overhang. Repeat with all seven pieces of 84-inch rope.

    • 4

      Measure 6 inches from the seventh Japanese bend knot, then measure 24 inches of rope, fold it in half and make another overhand knot so that it lands at the 6-inch mark.

    • 5

      Turn it so that the 84-inch pieces of rope are horizontal and the new overhand loop is in the top left corner. Measure 6 inches from base of the overhand knot, and make a Japanese bend knot using a piece of the 108-inch rope, leaving 3 inches for fraying.

    • 6
      The familiar box pattern of a net will start to emerge.

      Measure 6 inches down the piece of 108-inch rope and 6 inches to the right on the 84-inch rope to make the first link in the net. Make a Japanese bend knot at the cross point. Repeat down the entire length of the 108-inch rope.

    • 7

      Measure 6 inches to the right of the first Japanese bend knot, and start another length of 108-inch rope. Repeat until all five lengths of rope are used.

    • 8

      Measure 6 inches from the last length of 108-inch rope, then measure 24 inches of rope, fold it in half and make another overhand knot so that it lands at the 6-inch mark.

    • 9

      Measure 6 inches down from the overhand knot, and make a Japanese bend knot with the remaining length of 84-inch rope. Repeat to the end of the rope, including the last link in the bottom right corner.

    • 10

      The bottom right corner of the finished net will have two strands of unconnected rope; connect them using an overhand knot to create the last hanging loop.