How to Make a Nylon Mesh Cage

A nylon mesh cage is preferred by many pet bird owners over the harshness of wire cages. To build a cage, construct a basic frame from wood, then secure the woven nylon mesh over the frame. Nylon mesh should only be used for soft-billed birds. Hooked-bill birds, like parrots, easily tear through a cage made of nylon mesh. The size of the cage depends on the size of your birds, and the number of birds to be housed in the cage. Place newspaper on the bottom of the cage to catch droppings.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood
  • Metal square
  • Pencil
  • Jigsaw
  • Electric drill
  • Wood glue
  • Brush
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Wood clamps
  • Sandpaper
  • Nylon mesh
  • Staple gun
  • Hinges
  • Cabinet skewer bolt
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Instructions

  1. Framing the Cage

    • 1

      Measure and mark eight pieces of wood, 2-by-2-by-24 inches each, using a metal square and pencil. Measure another four pieces to 20 inches long. Cut the wood using a jigsaw.

    • 2

      Lay two pieces of 24-inch wood on a flat surface, parallel to each other. Place two pieces of 20-inch wood between them on each end, forming a frame. Adjust the frame so all the edges are flush, and mark where the joints meet using a pencil. This is the bottom of the cage.

    • 3

      Brush a thin layer of wood glue on each piece of wood where the ends meet, then reassemble the wood frame. Clamp the pieces together using wood clamps.

    • 4

      Drill two pilot holes in the end of each long piece, through the shorter pieces, using a 1/8-inch drill bit. Screw the pieces together using 2 3/4-inch wood screws. Remove the clamps.

    • 5

      Repeat Steps 2 through 4 to make a top for the cage. Sand all the wood pieces with medium-grit sandpaper.

    • 6

      Place the bottom of the frame on its side on the end of a table and clamp it to the table so it does not fall over. Place the end of a 24-inch piece of wood against one corner of the frame, so the edges are flush and the piece is square to the frame. Clamp that piece to the frame. This forms one corner post of the wall of the cage.

    • 7

      Drill two pilot holes through the corner of the frame into the end of the wall piece. Offset the holes so you do not drill too closely to the screws already in place. Screw the pieces together using 2 3/4-inch wood screws.

    • 8

      Repeat Steps 6 and 7 to secure all four posts to the bottom of the cage. Attach the top of the cage to the four posts using the same method to glue and screw the pieces together. Sand the posts with medium-grit sandpaper.

    • 9

      Measure the inside dimensions of the front, back, bottom and top of the frame. Cut a piece of nylon mesh to each set of dimensions, adding 1 inch to the length and width. Cut another piece of mesh for one side of the frame. The other side will be used to mount the door.

    • 10

      Staple the mesh to the inside of the cage using a staple gun. Do not use galvanized staples, as the zinc on these staples can be poisonous to some birds.

    Framing the Door

    • 11

      Measure two pieces of 2-by-2-inch wood to a length of 14 inches each. Measure another two pieces to a length of 20 inches.

    • 12

      Place the four pieces on a flat surface to make a frame 20-by-16 inches. Brush glue on the edges of the pieces and clamp them together as you did while making the frame of the cage. Use two screws in each corner to secure the joints together.

    • 13

      Mount two hinges on one side of the door frame, on the outside edge, about 3 inches from the top and bottom. Screw the hinges to the wood with the screws provided.

    • 14

      Mount a cabinet skewer bolt on the middle of the opposite side of the frame and screw it to the frame with the screws provided.

    • 15

      Cut a piece of nylon mesh to 21-by-17 inches. Staple it to the inside of the door using a staple gun.

    • 16

      Place the door onto one side of the cage. Screw the hinges to the cage frame. Then mark the position of the skewer bolt and screw the bolt clasp to the side of the frame.