Outhouse Birdhouse
An Outhouse-style Birdhouse
I designed the Outhouse Birdhouse plan for wrens or house finches, but other small birds might find this size birdhouse suitable for nesting. I used natural western red cedar for the walls and floor and galvanized tin for the roof.
I built this birdhouse from a 6-foot 1x6 cedar fence board and a small 7-inch square galvanized tin I found for the roof. You can alternatively use western red cedar for the roof if you don't have a piece of galvanized tin available.
Outhouse Birdhouse Plans
Cut the sides, base, and back of the birdhouse to the sizes indicated in the drawings and assemble them as shown, using 16 gauge galvanized finish nails.
Cut the front door to the sizes indicated and drill a 1-1/4" entry hole, centered 7" above the bottom of the door.
Attach the door to the birdhouse using 3/4" x 1.5" hinges (black). I purchased the black hinges and the black "Hook and Staple" door latch (EVERBILT-19754) from a "big box" hardware store. Install it as shown in the drawings below.
You can create the 2-3/4" x 4" header above the door by sketching a moon shape on the front and cutting out the shape with a jigsaw. Attach it as shown in the diagrams, using 16 gauge galvanized finish nails.
Center and attach the galvanized tin roof using any small galvanized screws of your choice.
You can attach a hanger wire to the birdhouse once it has been assembled by drilling holes in both sides and the roof edges (as shown above - right). The holes might be a little off-center (from front to back) because the front of the birdhouse weighs slightly more than the back.
You can determine the center of gravity (and the position of the hanger holes) by supporting the birdhouse with your index fingers, one on each side, until the birdhouse hangs vertically.
I hope you enjoyed building this outhouse-style birdhouse. It is one of my favorite designs and has a large access door in the front for cleaning out the old nest when nesting season is over.
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