How to Build Shipping Cages for Poultry
- 1). Cut two pieces of 1/2 inch plywood 24 x 36 inches for the top and bottom of the crate with the power saw. Cut a 14 x 14 inch hole in the center of one piece. This will be the top. Keep the small piece for use in the door. Cut 10, 12-inch long pieces of 2 x 2 inch pine lumber. Cut 8, 24-inch pieces and 8, 36-inches pieces of wood lathe, light lumber about a 1/2 inch thick and 2 to 3 inches wide. Paint, if desired, all pieces before assembling the cage.
- 2). Attach strap hinges to the small panel cut as a door from the plywood sheet. Drill holes through the plywood and fasten the hinges in place with 1-inch machine bolts with locking washers. Fasten a small piece of the lathe to the underside of the larger piece of plywood opposite of the hinged side of the door openings to serve as a door stop.
- 3). Fasten, using a screwdriver or screw gun, one of the 12-inch 2 x 2 inch boards to each corner of the plywood using 2-inch deck screws. Fasten the other piece of plywood to the other end of the corner supports. Add additional 12-inch 2 x 2 inch boards as uprights spaced 1 foot from each corner. This adds two supports on the 36-inch side and one on the 24-inch side.
- 4). Fasten the lathes horizontally on all four sides of the crate. Pre-drill the lathes to prevent splitting. Evenly space four pieces on each side. Attach them, using a screwdriver or screw gun, to the 2 x 2 inch uprights with 1-inch deck screws.
- 5). Add a latch to the access door. Latch designs vary widely. Follow label instructions for fastening the latch and catch to the door and crate.
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