How to Make the Best Bird House

They say that making a bird house is very easy as long as it interests you and you love doing it. It is just similar to making your own house, you feel bright and chirpy when the sun comes out in the morning. Nothing beats the experience and of course the feeling of having birds on your backyard. You can actually see how these birds enjoy their new home.

Believe it or not, you can always make your own dream house for your birds any moment you want. Here are some advice and tips in making a simple yet well designed bird house. In addition, the methods and ways of proper setting of the bird houses are also included.

But before you start, keep in mind your objective that is to make the birds enjoy and feel comfortable in their habitat. So you don't really have to attract them, the challenge is to make them go back as much as possible in their new home. Hopefully, these strategies will work.

- Look for a roof that is pivot shaped or hinged

Using a hinged roof is an efficient and convenient way to make your cleaning easier most especially during spring season. Make sure that the hinge is rust proof.

- Set proper ventilation

Make 4 holes on every bottom of the bird house. Each hole should measure at least ¼ inch. Also, drill 8 holes for the ventilation on top side of the bird house.

- Place an extended roof

Provide a roof that is extended of at least two inches in front to protect entrance of the house from raindrops that is usually driven by the wind and also to prevent domesticated animals from getting inside.

Also, try to elevate a bit the floor of the bird house from the bottom to prevent rotting which is normally caused by moisture.

- No Perches on Bird House

Placing perches on the bird house is a big NO-NO. The only birds that appreciate perches are the sparrows and starlings.

- Proper spacing of bird houses

Appropriate spacing of bird houses is also essential to avoid any conflict. Another thing is that there are some birds that are territorial, so the bird's nest should really be protected.

Generally, each bird house must be at least 25 feet away from each other. For some birds, like bluebirds should be 300 feet apart. Meanwhile, purple martins prefer to reside together with other bird colonies and so they should be in apartment houses.

- Best materials to use

Wood definitely is the best material to use. But be careful though, because not all types of wood can be used. As much as possible, do not use lumber. A lumber when wet, can emit vapor that can poison the birds. Making use of preservatives such as paint or stain outside the bird house can also help enhance the durability of the house. However, chemical preservative should also be avoided.

Moreover, never use cans, tins, cartons, and even metal as these materials might overheat and eventually destroy the bird eggs. However, commercial martin aluminums are an exception.

Be careful also with some uninvited guests like wasps, mice, bees or squirrels. In case you found one, remove them. Just be careful though as these animals could hurt you.

On the whole, making a bird house is not just really hammering, drilling and pasting of materials. It also requires subtle care as much as you're building your own house. Just follow the above guidelines and surely you'll come up with the best bird house.