Ok, now there are 3 in there. I've been trying to stay away from the house as much as I can, because they are already scared of me.....having used my slingshot on them several times before. I want that cage FILLED!!!!
P1090232.jpg
Ok, I know there was only one question about the trap, but I'm going to go through the whole build, just in case anyone else has any questions. And hopefully I cover everything.....This way when I make another one, I'll remember what the hell I did too because it will be here!!!
Materials I used:
2"x2" boards
#8 2 1/2" deck screws (because I had lots laying around)
1/4" x 1/4" wire mesh that I had bought years ago to put around my deck at my cabin, but never got around to doing it
1/2" staples
Tools I used:
Work table (instead of working on the ground)
Tape measure
Pencil
Speed Square
Saw
6" wood clamp
Drill and drill bit (small enough to leave "bite" for #8 screws)
Screwdriver (Robertson #2)
Staple gun
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters (aka Side cutters)
My spare time....
Instructions:
First off, the length of the cage was equal to the width of the wire mesh I had (36"). I wanted to do as little cutting of the mesh as there are so many cuts to be made with this small size of a mesh. The boards that I cut for the width I cut to 24". So you need (2) @ 36" and (2) @ 24". So if you get wire mesh that is a different width, just modify your cuts to suit.
I used 2 1/2" #8 deck screws (you can use whatever 2 1/2" screws you want to use) to screw the frame together. Use a clamp to keep the wood flush at the top/bottom and make sure to predrill the holes so that the wood won't split. I used 2 screws at each corner.
I basically wrapped the outside of the cage with the wire mesh. Stapled it where I wanted it, keeping it tight at the bottom and loose at the top. I did NOT measure how much mesh to leave at the top, I just let it out enough until it looked pretty good. I also used a hammer to make sure that all of the staples were in all the way. I'm going to have to transport this over to my brother's house and don't want to have lots of places where it can catch on my clothes.
I then cut a few square pieces large enough for the ends (unrolled some mesh, put it over the end while pulling the arch as far as I could and cut it a bit larger). I then tacked the bottoms to the 2"x2" boards.
On the back, I tied the end piece to the arch, making sure that it was nice and rounded. I counted up 10 mesh spaces to where I would use wire to tie it and duplicated it on both sides (left and right of the back) so that the arch was symmetrical. The last tie point was at the top of the arch.
At the front, I only stapled it to the frame and then I cut away an arch that was 10" diameter (5" radius). The distance measured along the curve of the arch after it was cut, came out to be 15"....so I added 2" on both sides to fit around the 2"x2" frame (giving me 19"). I should have only used an extra 1 3/4" as 2" was a bit too much (so use 18 1/2" instead).
The entrance piece to the cage at the large end was 19" when it was flat (should have been 18 1/2" for a better fit). At the small end, it was 10" when it was flat. I cut away a square on both sides of the front end, large enough to make it fit around the 2"x2" boards that I used for the frame. I put the entrance piece in and tied it with wire at the front piece and the bottom piece. Then I finally wired the rest of the front shut.
Entrance.jpg
After it was secure at the ends, I trimmed away what I wanted gone, and bent down the sharp points. Basically closing the whole thing up so there were no openings. And again keeping as few places available to snag my clothes on when I transport it.
I cut a hole on the side of the cage large enough for me to get my hand/arm all the way in to the furthest parts of the cage (I didn't measure it. It was wider than it was high though). I then cut another piece of mesh about 2" larger on all sides. Wired it at the top to act as a hinge, and used a longer piece of wire for the lock at the bottom. That way I can get stuff in/out of the cage.
I then took some duck tape and put it around the entrance, so that the birds would know how to get into the trap.
Lastly, I found a few twigs laying around and put them into the corners so that the magpies would have perches, and keep quiet.....
Magpie Trap Bait
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