A birdhouse, taken at the Peabody Mansion Estate in Oak Brook, Illinois (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Building a bird deckhouse can be easy if you know what you are doing. There are some guidelines that you can learn from those who have done it. Bird experts have also some things to say about how to properly make your own bird deckhouse.
Overall, below are some of the things you have to consider when building a bird deckhouse.
1. Ventilation.
You probably would not want to suffocate the birds inside your house. And you probably would not want to make them feel like they are your prisoners too.
What you need to do is to provide proper ventilation in your bird deckhouse. If you have one that is fully covered, consider putting on holes on the top, bottom and the sides. You do not need to do this if the bird deckhouse has an open space where birds can move out and about.
If you have a pet bird that you do not want to fly away from you, consider having birdhouses that let the air in naturally.
2. Roof.
Having a roof on your bird deckhouse is a means of protecting the birds from wind and rain. It is also one way of preventing bigger animals from playing and eating the birds inside.
In addition, the roof can prevent moisture from seeping inside the birdhouse. This serves the same purpose as the walls that you need to have in the birdhouse.
3. Space.
If you have more than one bird deckhouse in your house or garden, keep them some feet apart from each other. Having the appropriate space between bird deckhouses is a way of reducing conflicts that might arise between the birds.
Birds are also like a human in terms of protecting their territory. They also do not want other birds to trespass into their space. It is better to give them the appropriate space that they can have for their own.
4. Material.
The best material to make your bird deckhouse from is wood. They are more durable than metal that can rust and cartons that rot. Avoid using paint as much as possible. They tend to secrete vapors that can harmful for the birds.
Check out for unwanted visitors in your bird deckhouse. They can be insects or mice capable of causing harm and injury to the birds. Regular checking and cleaning can prevent these things from taking advantage of what you consider as pets.
The main purpose for putting up a deck in your birdhouse is to attract more birds. Your bird deckhouse will be a waste if birds are not visiting and coming back to it. An exception is when you already have the birds to put into your birdhouse. But for those who do not have, then the birdhouse should be a point of attraction and a regular safe place where birds can stay.