Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Measure and mark every 1/2 inch along the lip of the plastic container, no more than 1/4 inch from the top. Using the tip of the pocket knife, poke small holes in each mark.
Count the number of holes you have. You will need twice this many wire coat hangers. Using the wire clamps, untwist your hangers and straighten them into long pieces as best you can. Set 20 aside. Measure and mark 1 inch from the end of each remaining piece. Take two hangers, place their marks side by side and twist them together securely. Tighten with the clamps.
Measure the diameter of your plastic container at its broadest. Divide that by 2. Measure and mark this length from the end of each wire piece. At the marks, bend the wires into L shapes.
Measure and mark 1 inch from each end of each wire L. Poke about 1 inch of the long components of the pieces through the holes until they reach the mark. Bring the end up to meet the rest of the wire over the lip of the container. Twist securely.
Rotate--and bend slightly if necessary--to ensure that the wires are straight up and down, with the short components of the L facing inward. Twist these together securely in the center at the 1-inch marks you made earlier. Clamp all the new twists to make sure they are secure. You should have 5 inches of space left over, or 10 holes in a row with no wires poked through.
From 19 of the 20 remaining hangers, use the wire cutters to cut as many 7-inch pieces as you can. Measure and mark 1 inch from each end of each piece. Measure and mark every 1/2 inch along the roof pieces closest to the 5-inch gap.
Position a 7-inch piece perpendicular with two roof pieces so that the marks line up. Twist the new piece securely around the roof pieces and clamp in place. Repeat with the rest of the 7-inch pieces until all the roof space is filled. Set extra 7-inch pieces aside.
Bend the one remaining uncut hanger into a squared-off horseshoe shape with the ends 5 inches apart. Measure 1 inch from each end. Place one of the remaining 7-inch pieces across so that all the marks align. Twist securely. This will be your door frame.
Measure and mark every 1/2 inch around the door frame. Place 7-inch pieces running vertically through the rectangular space in the center so that the marks align (twist pieces together if necessary).
Position the door in the gap in the cage wall, holding the 7-inch edge flush with the lip of the container. Secure the sides of the door to the two nearest wall pieces with cage clips or twist ties.
Measure and mark every 1/2 inch along the edges of the remaining gap in the wall. Place remaining 7-inch pieces across to bridge the gap, aligning the marks, and twist in place; clamp.
Cut any protruding wire for the safety of your birds.