Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Preparing the Nesting Box
Use a circular saw to cut a rectangular piece of wood with dimensions of 10-by-16 inches. Place this board upright; the nesting box will be taller than it is wide, so the ten inch sides are horizontal. Use a pencil to outline a three-inch wide circle near the top center of the board, keeping the top of the circle about two inches from the edge. Use a wood auger to drill the hole. Mark the finished piece as the front of the birdhouse and put it aside for now.
Cut a rectangular piece of wood with the dimensions of 10-by-34 inches. Use a tape measure and pencil to mark 16 inches on one of the 34-inch sides, and then measure and mark 18 inches on the other. Use a straightedge to draw a diagonal line between the two points and then cut along the line with the saw, resulting in two identical trapeziums. Mark these as the sides of the nest and put them aside for now.
Use the saw to cut a piece of wood with dimensions 10-by-12 inches. Use a pencil to mark it as the roof of the nest and put it aside for now.
Use the saw to cut a piece of wood with dimensions 10-by-8 inches. Use a pencil to mark it as the floor.
Use the saw to cut a piece of wood 10 inches wide and 22 to 28 inches high. Use a pencil to mark this as the back of the nest and set it aside. Secure the saw and put it away.
Assembling the Nesting Box
Put the pieces in place without nailing or attaching them, to familiarize yourself with what the finished product will look like; the roof slopes downward toward the front (with a slight overhang to prevent water from dripping into the entry hole), meaning that the taller edges of the trapezium sides are against the back board. Disassemble the pieces when you've finished familiarizing yourself with the layout.
Use a level device and pencil to mark where you'll be attaching the floor, sides, and roof of the nest box to the back board; leave an inch or two of space above the roof instead of lining up the top of the roof with the top of the back board.
Use an electric drill to screw the walls to the back board. Screw the floor piece to the back board and the walls. Screw the front of the piece to the walls and floor, making sure to position the front so that the entry hole is at the top. Shake out any sawdust that may be loose in the box.
Place a 1-inch thick layer of untreated wood chips onto the floor of the box, then screw the roof piece to the back board, walls, and front piece, completing the structure.
Final Preparations
Coat the outside of the box with either non-toxic, water-resistant paint or wood varnish; do not paint the inside of the entry hole or allow any paint or varnish to enter the nest box. Allow the box to air dry in a well-ventilated area before proceeding.
Use the drill to make small holes (between a quarter and a third of an inch), in each corner of the nest box floor; this will allow water to drain from the nest.
Use the drill to make several quarter inch holes at the top of both sides of the nest box; this will provide additional ventilation to the nest.
Attach the nesting box to a sturdy surface by drilling screws through the top of the back piece, just above the roof.