How to Build Your Own Mouse Cage

Mice can live in a large variety of houses, as pets, you want them to have their very own house so that they can explore and keep busy without getting into mischief. You can build your own mouse cage from many different materials, but one of the most attractive is the traditional wood frame and wire mesh cage, which allows you to have good visibility of your pet with good ventilation and an easy-to-clean design.

Things You'll Need

  • 8 pieces 1-by-2 inch lumber, 12 inches long
  • Wood glue
  • 2 1/2 inch nails
  • Hammer
  • 2 pieces 1-by-2 inch lumber, 22 inches long
  • 2 pieces 1-by-2 inch lumber, 24 inches long
  • 2 pieces 1-by-2 inch lumber, 14 inches long
  • Wire mesh, 1/4 inch openings
  • Wire cutters
  • Staple gun
  • 2 hinges
  • 1/2 inch flathead nails
  • Door clasp
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Instructions

    • 1

      Form eight pieces of 1-by-2 inch lumber, 12 inches long, into two frames with one pair of sides on each frame abutting the inside edge of the other, making the corners.

    • 2

      Glue the frames together and leave to dry for an hour, then use 2 1/2 inch nails to secure the frames together through the edge of one pair of lumber pieces into the abutting ends of the other. The frames will be 12-by-16 inches once complete.

    • 3

      Stand the frames upright resting on a 14-inch side. Place two pieces of 1-by-2 inch lumber, 22 inches long, between the bottoms of each frame, flush with the corners. Hammer the 22-inch planks in place with 2 1/2 inch nails through the frame into the ends of the 22-inch planks.

    • 4

      Repeat with two more 22-inch planks between the tops of the frames, so that you have a box shape, 16 inches wide, 24 inches long and 12 inches high.

    • 5

      Form two 24 inch 1-by-2 lumber and two pieces of 14 inch 1-by-2 into a rectangular frame in the same way you made the smaller frames. This will be the lid of the cage.

    • 6

      Cover five sides of the box frame with wire mesh, stapling it in place on the lumber frame and leaving the top open. Cover the lid frame with wire mesh as well.

    • 7

      Position a hinge 5 inches in from either end of the lid frame and secure one half to the lid with flat head nails through the fastener holes in the hinge.

    • 8

      Place the lid on top of the box cage and fasten the remaining portion of the hinges to the side of the frame in the same manner to attach the lid. On the opposite side of the hinges, fasten a door clasp in the same way you did the hinges, so the lid can be closed tightly. Your cage is now ready.