Build your own birdhouse - how to do it

My own bird house

Prefabricated birdhouses can sometimes be really expensive. Nevertheless, there is hardly anything better than experiencing nature up close in your own garden and hearing the beautiful chirping of birds. Installing a birdhouse in your own garden is also a way of providing your feathered friends with a safe haven and a source of food. Our advice is simple: build your own DIY birdhouse. You can find out how to build your own birdhouse according to your own individual and creative ideas here on this page.

1. Planning and materials

The first step in building a DIY bird house is planning and selecting the materials. It starts with choosing the location. A quiet, sheltered area that is protected from strong winds, rain and direct sunlight is ideal. Birdhouses should be placed at least 1.5 - 2m above the ground to keep predators such as cats away. It is also important to keep sufficient distance from other birdhouses to avoid territorial conflicts between the birds. You must then be clear about the size and shape of the birdhouse.

You can choose from a variety of materials, from wood to recycled materials such as old cans or cardboard boxes. When selecting the wood, it is important to choose a weather-resistant and non-toxic wood that will provide a safe environment for the birds. Once the materials have been sourced, the construction of the birdhouse can begin. Building a birdhouse requires basic craft skills and tools such as the following:

• Saw
• screws
• Nails
• Hammer and screwdriver
• Wood glue for stability
• Hinges for a removable base plate
• Measuring tape and pencil
• Material for the roof (e.g. pieces of bark, panels, etc.)

The exact measurements and design decisions will depend on personal preference and the needs of the birds, but in general the birdhouse should have an open front, a sloping roof and a platform or perch for landing. Finally, you will need the dimensions for the side walls, base plate, front and back walls and for the roof. A typical birdhouse measures approximately 15x15x20cm.

2. Assembly

The birdhouse is assembled in several steps:

1. Cut the appropriate parts to size.
2. Fasten the parts together with nails and screws, starting with the base, then the side walls, then the front and rear walls and finally the roof. It is advisable to pre-drill the holes for the screws.
3. Check for stability, safety and wood splinters.

3. Decoration and color

You can decorate and paint the birdhouse as you wish. You will need weather-resistant paint and wood preservative for wood. It is important to use non-toxic paints to ensure the safety of the birds and to allow them to dry well. For decorations, you can collect materials from nature or make other objects that you like for the birdhouse. Once the birdhouse is in a suitable place, it can be filled with bird food. Use high-quality bird food that meets the birds' needs. In addition to food, water sources such as bird baths can also be placed near the birdhouse to give the birds access to fresh water. You can also find these on our website Sanilu.ch.

4. Cleaning

Finally, it is important to clean and maintain the bird house regularly to ensure the health of the birds. Old food should be removed regularly and the bird house cleaned with mild soapy water to keep bacteria and disease at bay.

For more ideas and suggestions on how to design your bird house and accessories for birds and other animals, simply visit our website Sanilu.ch! There you will find a colorful selection of ready-made birdhouse designs that are sure to inspire you. Browse through our range and give free rein to your creativity to transform your garden into an oasis for birds and other animal friends.

Finally, a few design ideas for your birdhouse - have fun building your own!