How to Build a Heavy Duty Parrot Cage

A heavy duty parrot cage can be built at home using wood and a steel mesh. Never use galvanized metal in your bird cage. Galvanized metal is made from zinc, which is toxic to birds. Treated lumber should also be avoided, as it contains pesticides which may be toxic to your parrot. Use hard wood for the frame, which is more resistant to chewing. For large cages, use thicker pieces of wood for the frame.

Things You'll Need

  • Wood
  • Measuring tape
  • Table saw
  • Sand paper
  • Power drill
  • Wood glue
  • Brush
  • Bar clamps
  • Steel mesh
  • Staple gun
  • Hinges
  • Eye and hook clasp
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Instructions

  1. Building the Cage Frame

    • 1

      Measure and mark four pieces of 3-by-3-inch wood, each to a length of 36 inches, with a measuring tape. These will form the posts of the cage.

    • 2

      Measure and mark four pieces of 1-by-2-inch wood to a length of 30 inches. Mark four more pieces to a length of 40 inches. These will form the top and bottom braces for the frame.

    • 3

      Cut the wood with a table saw. Then sand all the pieces with sandpaper.

    • 4

      Lay two posts on a flat surface about 40 inches from each other. Place a 40-inch piece of wood across the tops of each post. Place a 40-inch piece of wood on the bottom of the posts. Adjust the pieces until the edges of the braces are flush with the edges of the post.

    • 5

      Make four pencil marks on the ends of the frame pieces, evenly spaced, with about an inch between each mark. Drill pilot holes at each mark, through the brace and into the posts three inches deep.

    • 6

      Brush wood glue onto the posts and the braces where they meet. Place the frames back onto the posts with the holes lined up. Then screw the braces to the posts using 3-inch screws.

    • 7

      Repeat Steps 4 to 6 using the other two posts for the back of the cage.

    • 8

      Ask someone to help you lift the posts so they are standing upright about 30 inches apart. Then clamp braces to the top and bottom of the posts, using wood clamps. Drill two pilot holes through each end of the braces into the posts three inches deep.

    • 9

      Unclamp the braces and brush glue onto the braces and the posts where they meet. Clamp the braces back into position. Then screw the braces to the posts.

    • 10

      Repeat Steps 8 and 9 to secure the last two braces to the other side of the cage.

    • 11

      Measure a piece of 20 lb. steel mesh for the top, bottom, front, back and one side of the cage. Then tack the mesh to the frame using non-galvanized staples and a staple gun.

    Making the Door

    • 12

      Measure the inside dimensions of the side of the cage. Using the instructions above, these dimensions should be 24-by-32 inches.

    • 13

      Cut two pieces of 1-by-2-inch wood to a length of 20 inches. Cut another two pieces to a length of 32 inches.

    • 14

      Lay the pieces on a flat surface, forming a frame for the door, 24-by-32 inches. Mark the edges of the wood where they meet. Brush the pieces with glue and clamp them together using two bar clamps. Wait for the glue to dry.

    • 15

      Place two hinges on one side of the door frame, six inches from the top and bottom. Mark the position of the holes with a pencil. Drill pilot holes into the wood for the screws. Then screw the hinges to the door frame using the screws provided.

    • 16

      Cut a piece of 20 lb. steel mesh to fit the door. Tack it onto the door using non-galvanized staples and a staple gun.

    • 17

      Put the door frame into the side of the cage. Align the hinges with the side of the cage frame. Then drill and screw the hinges into the frame.

    • 18

      Screw an eye into the other side of the frame. Then screw the eye hook into the door so it can hook into the eye when the door is closed.

    • 19

      Place newspaper beneath the cage, and a perch, swing, water and food containers inside the cage.