How to Build a Barn Owl Nestbox
- 1). Choose one piece of wood to be the "front" of the nestbox. Lay the piece of wood on a flat surface. Measure 7 inches toward the center from the bottom edge of the wood. Mark a horizontal line across the board at the 7-inch measurement. This will be the bottom edge of the entrance to the box. Use the measuring tape to measure a 6 -inch square with the center of the horizontal line used as the bottom edge. Cut out the square.
- 2). Choose a second piece of lumber to be the bottom of the nestbox. Drill six to eight drainage holes scattered around the piece of wood. The holes should not be larger than ¾ inch.
- 3). Place the third and fourth pieces of wood vertically on a flat surface so they are parallel to each other and 14 inches apart. Lay the front piece of the nestbox on top of these pieces of wood so the edges are flush. Nail in place. Carefully flip the structure over and place another piece of wood on the opposite edges of the vertical wood. Nail in place. This forms the four sides of the nestbox.
- 4). Lay the sides of the nestbox vertically on a flat surface so the door is closer to the top edge. Lay the bottom piece of wood horizontally on the wall sections so all sides are flush. Nail in place. Turn the structure over. The door should now be 7 inches from the bottom and the top is still open.
- 5). Lay the final piece of wood on the top. Measure 6 inches from the left edge toward the center of the box along the back side of the nestbox. Nail the first hinge in place on both the top and back pieces of wood. Repeat the 6-inch measurement along the back side of the nestbox from the right side. Nail the second hinge in place. Verify the top will open and close easily.
- 6). Center the cabinet lock along the front of the nestbox and nail in place. Use a padlock to lock the box closed. Drill three holes on the left side and right side for ventilation.
Source...