How to Build a Canary Cage

Canaries are small birds that belong to the finch family. They are not climbing birds like parrots. Instead, canaries enjoy flying and hopping from side to side in a long, rather than tall, cage. Since canaries have small and relatively weak beaks, a canary cage can be made of wood and doesn't require metal support bars.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 pieces of lumber, 2 by 2 inches wide and 8 feet long
  • 1 sheet of 1 inch thick plywood
  • 2-inch wood screws
  • Drill
  • 25 square feet of chicken wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Staple gun or small, easily hammered in staples
  • 1 large piano hinge or 3 small hinges
  • Pull knob
  • Decorative trim (optional)
  • Trim nails (optional)
  • Wood glue (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut four pieces of 2 by 2 inch lumber 19 inches long, cut two pieces 16 inches long and cut three pieces 24 inches long for a finished cage that measures 20 inches tall, 20 inches wide and 28 inches long.

    • 2

      Cut one piece of plywood 20 by 28 inches. Cut another piece of plywood 5 by 24 inches.

    • 3

      Lay two pieces of 19 inch and one piece of 16 inch lumber out to make a "U" shape so that the bottom of the 19 inch pieces are flush with the sides of the 16 inch piece. Attach with screws on either side. Repeat for the other side of the cage.

    • 4

      Lay two 24 inch pieces of 2 by 2 inch lumber so that the ends are on the inside of the "U" and flush with the corners. The "U" should be positioned so that the open end is pointing up. Attach with screws on all sides.

    • 5

      Lay the 20 by 28 inch sheet of plywood on top of the "U." Attach at all corners and put aside.

    • 6

      Line up the hinge or hinges on the third piece of 24 inch lumber and attach to the 5 by 24 inch plywood to make the cage door.

    • 7

      Go back to the box frame. Flipping the box over, with the plywood on the bottom, line the door up so that it will be at the bottom of the back of the cage. The bottom of the plywood door should almost touch the plywood floor and the front of the door should be flush to the edge of the floor. The hinges should be on the outside. Attach to the box frame by screwing in to the 2 by 2 inch lumber (known as the ledger board) above the hinge or hinges.

    • 8

      Attach the pull knob to the cage door.

    • 9

      Cut the chicken wire into two 20 by 28 inch pieces, two 20 by 20 inch pieces and one 15 by 28 inch piece. Staple to the wooden frame.

    • 10

      Cut the decorative trim to size (optional). Pre-drill holes into the trim and attach it to the wooden frame with trim nails and wood glue. Trim will hide the chicken wire edges for a cleaner look.