How to Build a Box Cage

Use box cages to house or transport a variety of animals, such as house birds, rodents or other small pets. Build your box cage using pine lumber and wire mesh. Choose a wire mesh suitable for the animal you need to house. A squirrel, for example, requires no less than 24-gauge mesh, with 3/8-inch squares. Larger animals, such as racoons, require higher gauges of steel.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 6 pine boards, 2-by-2-by-25-inches
  • 10 pine boards, 2-by-2-by-22-inches
  • Screw gun
  • 32 wood screws, 3-inch
  • 6 wire mesh sheets, 25-by-25-inches
  • Hammer
  • 96 staples, 3/4-inch
  • 2 hinges, 1 1/2-inch, with screws
  • Wire, 16-gauge, 12-inches
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay two 25-inch boards parallel to each other and 22 inches apart. Set two 22-inch boards between them at right angles, parallel and 22 inches apart. Screw through the 25-inch boards and into the 22-inch boards so they are positioned 1/2 inch away from each edge, 3/4 inches away from each end and 1/2-inch apart. Use eight screws for this process. Repeat this step two more times so you have three square frames. Two are the sides to your box cage and one is the door.

    • 2

      Set two sides on their 25-inch boards so they are upright, parallel and spaced 22 inches apart. Position a 22-inch board between the sides at each corner so the edges are flush. Screw through 25-inch boards and into the 22-inch board. Position the screws just as you did in the previous step, screwing through the corners of the frames. Use two screws for each end of each 22-inch board.

    • 3

      Lay a sheet of mesh over five sides of the box frame so the edges are flush. Pound 16 staples through each sheet, placing four along each edge to secure the sheets. Staple the last sheet to the door frame in the same manner.

    • 4

      Turn the door frame over so it is on top of the mesh. Screw two half-hinges to on of the 25-inch boards so they are each 2 inches away from the ends of the board. The hing should be able to fold 180-degrees on top of itself and away from the door frame. Position the half-hinges against the 25-inch board that is on the box cage. Screw the hinges to the 25-inch board so when the door is closed the edges between the door and the cage are flush.

    • 5

      Wrap the wire through the mesh and around the pair of 25-inch boards that are opposite the side with the hinges to keep the cage door shut.