breeding cage

Plans for Building a Double Breeding Cage
I use these cages for breeding my Java's. I would not go any smaller than theses dimensions for breeding Java's
			Page updated 02/01/2005


MATERIALS REQUIRED

1. 8' Foot x 4' Foot x 1/2in" sheet of plywood

2. 4'foot x 4'foot x 1/4in" half sheet of plywood

3. Two 24" x 15" cage fronts

4. 1.5 nails

5. Four brass picture clips

6. One tube of Gripfill.......Gripfill

7. One length of plastic channel

8. 1/2" x 1/2" x 48" soft wood

The first thing: Take the 8' x 4' sheet of plywood mark out and cut the back panel (back panel: 48" x 18.5")
Second: mark out and cut the top and bottom panels (top & bottom: 47" x 15")
Third: mark and cut out two side panels (sides: 15" x 18.5")

Now for the complicated bit! So you can see how the panels are going to fit together. Lay the back panel flat on the floor take the two side panels and stand them on top of the back panel each side, now the top and bottom panels stand them on top of the back panel and in-between the two sides

	Now you can see how they are going to fit together, take your hammer and 1.5 nails and start nailing the panels together to make the carcass. Just before you start! to make a stronger carcass use wood glue or gripfill along the edges of the panels
Now the carcass is glued and nailed give it a good sandpaper down and smooth any rough edges out.
If you use my cage page on your website please give me some credit like my name or better still a link back to my website http://www.javafinch.com These are my photos and drawings ©

TOOLS REQUIRED

1. Circular power saw

2. Hammer

3. Power Drill & bits

4. Pencil

5. Screw Driver

6. Tape-measure

7. Application Gun

Now: out of your 8' x 4' sheet of plywood mark out and cut a strip (47" x 1") This strip we are going to use to support the bottom part of the cage fronts. The cage fronts I used had four or five spikes along the bottom edge, as you will see in photo 1. Take the cage fronts to the carcass and put the top edge of the cage fronts to the top of your carcass (on the inside) where the bottom of the cage front stops make a mark so you can fit the strip of wood across the cage.



	Showing spike on the bottom of the cage front. Also the plastic channel sitting on top of the center support


With the strip of wood in place and all the small holes drilled for the cage fronts, put the two cage fronts loosely in position on the strip of wood. You should have a half inch gap between the cage fronts, this is where the sliding partition will go, if you have not got a gap you will have to trim one of the cage fronts down (hacksaw) to make a gap.
We need to make the center support for the channel to go along for the sliding partition, the top of this support needs to be flush with the top edge of the strip of (47" x 1") you have just put in, so measure from base of the cage to the top edge of the strip and cut a piece of plywood 15" x your measurement. On one side of this piece cut a section ½" x 1" to support the strip of (47" x 1")

Next the plastic channel: this channel needs to be wide enough to take ¼" plywood. I got an eight foot length from a window manufactures, although I have seen it in DIY stores. Cut two pieces 15" long. Using gripfill glue one piece to the top of the support and the next piece to the roof of the cage, take care they are in line with each other when gluing (see photo1) & (photo 2)


Now using ¼" plywood cut one pieces to make the partition. Cut at 16" to give an inch overhang so it will be longer than the cage itself. (Gives you something to pull on) just measure the height to make a good fit.			On the roof of the cage you will need to glue two strips of ½" x ½" just back a bit from the front of the cage, so the cage fronts don't fall back into the cage. Have a look on (Photo 2 )


		To keep the cage fronts from falling out you will have to screw two brass picture clips to the top of the cage see photo 3. So at cleaning time for the cage you only have to flick the two brass clips up and lift out the whole cage front.

Perches: I use ½" x ½" for my perches, cut each perch 14" so they don't touch the cage fronts. Drill holes in the back of your cage for the height you want the perches to be and screw them in from the back. (Tip put a bit of glue on the end of the perch before screwing) putting the perches in this way, every time you take the cage fronts out for cleaning the perches don't fall down (see photo 4)

Now all we need is the two trays, take the ¼" plywood and mark out 15" x take the width measurement, as this will differ from cage to cage, and cut the two bases, lay these flat on the cage floor. Take a measurement from the top of the plywood to just underneath the (47" x 1") strip. Leave a small gap at the top so the tray does not get stuck when shut, also Leave a small gap each side of the trays, makes getting them in and out easier. With the measurement cut four strips for each tray. Just glue the strips to the ¼" plywood and let them set. As you can see from my photos I have put small knobs on mine, see (photo 4)

The End Result

I have tried to explain how to construct the breeding cage the best way I can if you can not follow the plans don't hesitate to e-mail me and I will get back to you