How to Modify A Kennel for Birds - Pet Travel

We have many clients who want to take their feathered companions along when they travel and we are often asked about suitable travel kennels.

With a little work, you can modify a standard travel kennel to safely accommodate any bird. The only thing to keep in mind is the size of the bird. A small kennel will do for a cockatiel, however cockatoos and larger parrots will need an intermediate.

You should plan on about an hour for the project.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Travel Kennel
• ¾' to 1' dowel depending on the size of your bird
• ½' wood screws
• saw
• screwdriver
• tape measure
• light mesh wiring or screen material
• Sharpie pen
• heavy scissors/garden shears/wire cutters
• cable ties
• duct tape

There are two steps necessary for modifying a travel kennel for a pet bird. The first is you have to install a perch. The second is to cover the sides and door with chicken wire.

INSTALLING THE PERCH

You want to install the perch about 1 inch above the bottom of the kennel, about ¾ of the way towards the back to the kennel.

If your travel kennel is already assembled, you will need to break it down into its two halves. Take the lower half and with the tape measure, measure the distance between the side walls at a point about 1 inch above the bottom. Cut your dowel to this length and place it in the bottom half of the kennel about ¾ of the way to the back. You will be able to see the slight bulge it creates in the sides of the kennel. Use these bulges as a guide to screw one screw through the kennel and into each end of the wooden dowel with the screwdriver.

COVERING THE SIDES AND DOOR WITH MESH

There is very light gauge mesh wiring available at Home Depot or Lowes. It generally comes in a design with small squares. You can also use the material used for most household widow screens. The opening on traditional chicken wire is generally too large as the point of the wiring is to keep your bird from injuring itself by poking its beak or feet out of the kennels.

Lay the mesh over the door and with your Sharpie pen, trace the outer edge of the kennel door. (you want the mesh slightly bigger than the door). Repeat the process for the openings on either side of the kennel.

Using your heavy scissors or your garden shears, cut out the template of the wire mesh. Use the cable ties to secure the mesh to the door and side openings. One on each corner and one in the middle of each side is generally sufficient.

Lastly, use your duct tape to cover up the edges of the mesh wiring. It is usually best to just you one continuous strip all the way around the door and one for each side. This prevents your pet bird from injuring itself on any loose edges.

If your kennel already has holes in the back, you will need to cover them with mesh if they are large enough for your pet bird to stick his beak or legs through. To do this, just cut out one square of mesh large enough to cover all of the holes and secure it to the back of the kennel with duct tape.

If the back of your kennel does not have holes already, you will need to take a small ¼ inch drill bit and drill 15 to 20 holes in the back of the kennel.

Put the top of the kennel on and your fine feathered friend is now ready for travel!