Bluebird House FREE PLANS build using 1 Cedar Picket

This Bluebird House is built using one 6 foot cedar fence picket.. We also include a link to the plans that will give you all the dimensions and angles needed. To build this Bluebird House you will need a saw, a drill, a tape measure, a square, a hammer and nails or screws and of course a 6 foot fence picket. The video and the FREE PDF Plans together should make an easy build. If you enjoy seeing Bluebirds, build one and enjoy!
The Plans for this house can be found here:
DIYwithWayne.com/birds/house2...
We also have 3 other designs with videos and PDF Plans:
1, • What you should know a...
2, • How to build a Bluebir...
3, • Bluebird House plans w...
To see all our Bird related videos, use this link:
• For The Birds, houses,...
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Thank you for visiting and have a great day!
Wayne

[@MrOldclunker]

Two additional items to enhance the Bluebird nesting boxes. 1.) Recess the bottom up inside 1/2". This keeps the rain from running down the sides and wicking up into the bottom edge, thus preventing rot and extending your life of the boxes. 2.) Put a piece of hardware cloth with 1/2" squares into the bottom of the nest. Just cut the hardware cloth an 1 1/2" wider than the front to back length (6 1/2" to 7" )and put 3/4" folds in the mesh. This will give you about 1/2" - 3/4" separation in the floor to the nest. The purpose is if the blow fly finds your nest (which 90% will be infected) the blow fly larva feed on the blood of the young birds during the night and when they retreat back down into the bottom of the nest material, they fall through and cannot get back up to feed on the young. This gives the young a better chance of survival as it only takes a few days to kill the chicks of any species. Great video!!!

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thanks, Also, thanks for the suggestions and the reason why they are good ideas. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I find birds never clean out the birdhouse when they leave that's why I get a security deposit.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Michael, thank you for visiting again and the great tip. I love it! Have a great day.

[@The85F0X]

That's good stuff right there

[@roswellxo9214]

Top notch joke thank you I’ll be borrowing this one

[@mokedokie]

Mostly a good plan. It's good to put a predator block over the access hole to prevent predators from reaching in. Always add 3-4 kerf cuts below the access hole both inside and outside The inside kerf cuts allow the chicks to climb out when they fledge.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thank you for your suggestion and for visiting our channel. We hope you have a great day.

[@jeremiahbirmingham9494]

Made these bidhouse boxes with my Bear Cubs Scout Den. I precut the boards and parents helped to hammer/screw the birdhouse together. Both the example box I made and the box my scout made were hun in the back yard; and both had families in them that season. Thank you very much.

[@DIYwithWayne]

That is awesome! Thanks for letting me know. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@doug9121]

Hello Wayne, thank you for the great video and also the plans. Looked at your website think it's great. Loved all the videos that you had and all the FREE plans that you give away. Thank you again.

[@DIYwithWayne]

You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.

[@MrLookatmyhat]

My boys are very interested in my wood working hobby and they liked this design the best as they're first real project. Thank you for posting this and helping to inspire the next generation of wood workers!

[@DIYwithWayne]

That is awesome! I hope they have fun and enjoy the process. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@MrLookatmyhat]

@DIYwithWayne My oldest boy and I built it this afternoon. He wants to build a dozen more just like it after we cut a template out and sell them at our yard sale 🤣 Got an industrialist on my hands. Thanks again!

[@DIYwithWayne]

If you haven't already, you may want to check out my playlist of bird videos. I have several houses with plains and other related videos. kzbin.info/aero/PLn_JpkNGVmDaQqs5inqN4AFYs-1RTxlcM

[@davidfleming1395]

Thanks Wayne I appreciate your time nice bird box. From Wales UK

[@DIYwithWayne]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@Mtnsunshine]

it's a beautiful Spring day, so this is the perfect project. Thank you.

[@DIYwithWayne]

You are so welcome! We've had a bit of a stormy day here, with intermittent sun, but still a nice spring day.

[@buddymann34476]

Love the background Wayne. What a wonderful video. Thank you for sharing.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@dennisprice8798]

I think you included most of the elements of building a safe bird house....good job. I like to add a predator block over the access hole and I like to cut a few kerf cuts under the access hole...outside for the adults and inside for the chicks when they fledge. I was very happy see you didn't add a perch, you used real wood, not plywood or treated lumber, and you didn't stain or paint. There are many cute, well built bird boxes posts that are not safe for the eggs or chicks. I hope many see your excellent yet simple plan.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Dennis, Thank you for the very nice comment. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@judymartindale881]

Thanks, Wayne!

[@DIYwithWayne]

You are very welcome and thank you for visiting, have a great day.

[@thefartbrothers247]

Thanks, Wayne! Very informative and beautiful design!

[@DIYwithWayne]

It's not really my design but it is a very good design. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@joeladams4779]

Excellent info thank you!!

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thank you, thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@jackhively3625]

Thanks for the info. Getting started on one now.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Good luck! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@douglasgeiger7591]

Thank you. Love your back yard!

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@oliverkolb2278]

Wayne, this stuff is great. Thank you for making your wealth of knowledge available. This is just what I was looking for to put in my new yard.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Oliver, I am glad you found it helpful. Good luck with attracting Bluebirds and have a great day.

[@timothyrobles8777]

Nice Job, Very informative Wayne. Thank you for sharing plans, I will build one this weekend.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Glad you found it helpful. Good luck with your bluebird house, and have a great day.

[@timothyrobles8777]

@@DIYwithWayne Thank you Wayne, You as well Sir !😇👍❤️🇺🇸

[@keithjohnson5190]

Thanks for the video. I was wondering how you mounted this but you said in another video. I would just add another longer board on the back if I was mounting to a post.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@ignatiusreilly8280]

Thanks for showing how to build this.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Our pleasure! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@tlojewelrylove]

Hi Wayne, this is awesome!👍 I actually went tonight and bought a cedar picket to build a birdhouse so thanks very much for the tip about cutting the 20° angle on the roof. It's an EXCELLENT IDEA👍 to use the already-cut sides as a "jig", so to speak. For someone like me, it'll also help me cut straight. I know I've seen your video before a long time ago and I may have even posted a comment back then. Anyway, now if I can only figure out how to build a huge birdhouse for my amazingly huge and beautiful Pileated Woodpeckers out of cedar fence pickets. I'd love to keep them around. The requirements for their houses are quite large though... a little over 2 feet high with a 4-inch hole. Again, THANKS SO MUCH for sharing this and if you have a tutorial for easy plans to build an oversized birdhouse, I'd love to see it! Thanks and have a blessed day! 👍🙂

[@DIYwithWayne]

So glad you found this helpful. I'm sorry, but I don't have plans for a larger bird house. We also have a Pileated Woodpecker in our woods. He's very elusive, but we do occasionally see him. Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@lauriemcdarby5368]

Thank you so much for this video and instructions....I can do this! Have a beautiful bluebird that perches on my gardens 6 foot post! 👩‍🌾

[@DIYwithWayne]

Laurie, You can do it! Good luck with your project. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@davidmingee4286]

How do I get the PDF for sizes

[@larrycavanaugh7410]

Sir you make it look so easy you just give me a hobby thank you my brother

[@DIYwithWayne]

Larry, it was my pleasure. I really hope you enjoy your new hobby. Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@cwilli26]

We've bought a couple of bluebird houses from our local Audobon Society and have really enjoyed them and have had great success with 3-4 new families each year. We have about 4 acres, so I am wanting to expand to several more houses and this design is AWESOME! Questions: I noticed you didn't glue the wood at all. I guess that is so not to potentially harm the babies, correct? What about finishing the house? The couple I've installed I have first "painted" in Linseed Oil to help them last longer. Finally, is installing them directly on a tree acceptable? The houses we've purchased have come with metal poles and baffles. TIA.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Sounds like you are a true Bluebird supporter. I don't think glue is necessary, that's why I don't use any. Paint will help make the houses last longer but DON'T paint the inside. The babies need a ruff surface inside to grip to getting out. Attaching to trees is ok for the birds, but it's not good for the tree. This video will demonstrate several ways to mount them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@woodworksbygrampies1284]

Hola sir! 🖐Great video! 👍 I think I will build one of these with the eldest grandkiddo soon! Thank you for the inspiration. I will check out more of your content, this is the very first video of yours I watch. Take care and have a good one sir, Adios!👊

[@DIYwithWayne]

Awesome! Thank you! Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@TryingNew]

Thanks so much for this. I don’t know if we have your plans or different ones, but we’ve built most of the birdhouse until the pivot side and had questions that this video answered. Thank you for saving us so much trouble!

[@DIYwithWayne]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind comment and for visiting, have a great day.

[@brucewallace1069]

Compound or doubleheaded nail works good to pin door

[@DIYwithWayne]

Yes those would work well. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@sandyk6657]

Thanks - I watched this video and several others on how to build a blue bird house and built 4 houses so far and made some changes and mistakes. Now I think I have it down. What I would change here is put a cable tie down to hold the clean out door shut rather than a screw you have to take out. And put a screw at the bottom center of the clean out board on the side to for something to grab to open the door. The clean out side door would fit inside the bottom board which would go over flush with all the boards, not on the inside. This way you don't have to make any special cuts as one width cedar picket is all you need and it gives the birds a bit more depth to the box. I also put the vent slot at the top of the front board under the roof overhang so the rain doesn't get in. If on the side and there isn't a roof overhang, the rain can get in. I don't put any vent holes at the bottom because I feel the birdhouse would be airy, and in cold weather, the chicks would be colder. I guess everyone makes them a bit different and there is no right or wrong way. If they nest there - your are successful.

[@sandyk6657]

And let me also add, that I put my houses on post oak tree trunks so I make the back board longer (16") so there is space above and below the birdhouse where I put two screws in the top and one in the bottom. I just needed a way to mount it to a tree that was easer than going through the bird box.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Sandy K, Thanks for visiting. Building a Bluebird House is not an exact science. We all make changes to designs we find to make it our own. I think it's great you have come up with your own modifications. My only suggestion is if you nail or screw the house to a tree, don't drive the nails all the way in. This way every year or so you can pull the nails or screws out a little. If you don't do this the tree will grow around the nails and you won't be able to get them out. I hope you enjoy your new bluebird boxes as much (or more) than we do. Have a great day.

[@mokedokie]

Hi Sandy, I monitor several dozen Blue Bird boxes. Unfortunately there are many bird boxes on You Tube that look great but can be harmful for the eggs and chicks including over heating and lack of ventilation and drainage. Adults may unknowingly pick a box that lack elements of safety for the eggs, chicks and adults. A good resource is nestwatch.org.:nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/features-of-a-good-birdhouse/

[@LanceSheppard]

instead of the air gap at the top will drilled holes angled downward to help reduce rain from blowing in work? say 3 1/4 inch holes on the sides? Thanlsnfor the video, Great idea!

[@DIYwithWayne]

The 1/4' holes would work but I would make more than 3 on each side. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@LanceSheppard]

@@DIYwithWayne God bless!

[@user-hf3tc8we7m]

Wayne, this is a simple plan that I would build with my grade 7 students. Just curious about how to mount this. Also, does it get mounted on a tree or post or either?

[@DIYwithWayne]

This video will answer your question with several options. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@user-hf3tc8we7m]

@@DIYwithWayne Thank you sir!

[@michaelganko5697]

Great videos,!! Can I use smart wood home siding ?? Or could it be toxic .?? Thanks

[@DIYwithWayne]

I don't know but would suggest you contact the manufacturer. I do know treated wood is bad for the birds and if the Smart Wood is treated it could be a problem. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@TNoorman]

My boys started building a similar birdhouse with plans we found. Though that house and this one look similar, I love some of the features to used, such as the ventilated sides and bottom (genius using the dog-eared picket end!) and the hinge! One question: what size and type of nails are you using? Thanks!

[@DIYwithWayne]

The nails depend on the wood. The fence pickets are thin so a smaller nail. About 1.25 to 1.34 inches. If using 3/4 inch wood, I would use nails slightly larger or screws. Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@jacklavoie2523]

Great video, built three of them. I may have to much of a gap for air on the top sides, 1/2”, is that to wide? What should it be? Thanks

[@DIYwithWayne]

So happy to hear you are building houses for the bluebirds. The 1/2 inch gap will be fine. I would not make it any larger but that is OK. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@keithguillory148]

What size nail you using! Thank you! Like your video

[@DIYwithWayne]

If you are using the cedar pickets that are a bit thin, 1.5 to 2 inches. If thicker wood, 2 to 2.5 inches. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@scolson18]

Great job. Just finished mine. Is there a good way to hang this on a tree now?

[@DIYwithWayne]

This video will give you some suggestions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@scolson18]

Thank you! On the first suggestion you placed the birdhouse on an additional board. How did you attach the house to the board?

[@DIYwithWayne]

It was a different design kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4vUkoaLqLSMjLM However you could apply a extra board to the back using a few nails or screws.

[@sloboski227]

Great instructional video. The next time how about pointing the camera down directly at the house being built and zooming in when actually putting it together We’ve seen enough lake, boat and all once you get to that part. Thanks

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thanks for the comment and we are getting better at making videos and we will try to remember your suggestion in the future. Thanks for visiting and have a great day.

[@johnniemills2644]

Very good I can't get measuremts could you out measurements in comments some of us old men are slow

[@DIYwithWayne]

Check out this link DIYwithWayne.com/birds/house2.pdf

[@tomevans4402]

👍

[@DIYwithWayne]

Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@theDonRua]

This was great. I built my first two birdhouses today following your tutorial, happy with how they turned out. But then I looked at them and wondered how to attach them to my trees (large diameter). I would have thought there was something built into the birdhouse, particularly for attachment, since that is the ultimate objective. Suggestions?

[@DIYwithWayne]

You may want to watch this video about mounting Blue Bird Houses. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@theDonRua]

I did watch that, good job btw, HOWEVER, the bird house in that is built with an extended back so you can nail it to a tree. This video and the plans do not have that. So now I have two bird house built to spec, and cant' figure out how to attach them. I don't want to do a poll, want to do tree. I guess I'll just nail another longer board to this plan. Won't look as good, but don't want to rip the back off and start all over. Thanks for the reply. Might be something to mention in the notes.@@DIYwithWayne PS - promoting your channel on my FB

[@DIYwithWayne]

This is my playlist on birds. It has 12 videos including several houses. kzbin.info/aero/PLn_JpkNGVmDaQqs5inqN4AFYs-1RTxlcM

[@DIYwithWayne]

Another thought, just cut a longer board and attach it to the back of the houses you already have. Good Luck.

[@raypalczynski866]

Wayne. Is the 1 1/2 hole size mandatory? I have an 1 3/4 hole saw drill.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Ray, All the professionals I have seen recommend a 1 1/2" hole. However I don't think it is mandatory. The problem with the larger hole is more predators would be able it get inside. I hope this helps. I hope you enjoy your bluebirds and have a great day.

[@raypalczynski866]

@@DIYwithWayne Thank you Wayne. I purchased a 1 1/2 hole saw. We have two houses up for rent! Thanks for your help.

[@DIYwithWayne]

You are welcome. Enjoy the bluebirds.

[@BobSmith-zv9mi]

What size nail do you recommend for the cedar picket assembly? Thanks

[@DIYwithWayne]

I think the ones I used were about 1.5 inches but I used what I had to keep cost down. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@JT-ky9gr]

How would you mount it on the tree?

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello JT, Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 It details different methods of mounting and you may also want to view this video because it is a design intended to be installed on a post or tree. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4vUkoaLqLSMjLM Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@BobSmith-zv9mi]

Do you just cut the roof and front with a 20 degree angle or all the pieces? Thank you

[@DIYwithWayne]

Roof, Front and back. Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@herbsu4330]

Any tips on mountingt?

[@DIYwithWayne]

Yes, Watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@herbsu4330]

@@DIYwithWayne thanks

[@braddwilson4277]

Is there any direction it should be facing.... I’m trying to attract them so much

[@DIYwithWayne]

In my experiences they are not very picky. You don't want the opening facing the prevailing winds because rain will blow into the box. Good luck with attracting bluebirds and have a great day.

[@dennisprice8798]

I prefer to face bird box the the north so the box doesn't get direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Direct sun can raise the inside temperature so high it can kill eggs and chicks. Also add extra ventilation if you live in a warm climate.

[@kathycovington4480]

what size nails did you use, and are they all aluminum?

[@DIYwithWayne]

Most are just standard nails but if you have aluminum they would not rust. I think the ones I used were about 1.5 inches but I used what I had to keep cost down. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@terrywepner4002]

A six foot picket??? What is the width and thickness ??? Thanks

[@DIYwithWayne]

5/8-in x 5-1/2-in x 6-ft Cedar Dog Ear Fence Picket. www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=cedar%20fence%20pickets Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@GvIn2it]

What is the thickness of the Cedar? I have 1/2 " plywood to work with.

[@DIYwithWayne]

These are 1/2" but most of the houses we build are using 3/4" wood. The plywood can work if exterior grade. Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@dennisprice8798]

Plywood is not a good choice build bird boxes. Plywood has harmful chemicals used to make it. Buy a 1"X6"X 72" piece of redwood or cedar fencing. It cost about $5 and will build one bird box. Good luck.

[@dinksoutdoors1818]

What is your idea on how to hang or install these on a tree?

[@DIYwithWayne]

This video goes over several options for mounting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Mounting on trees is not recommended IF you have other options. If not, this video will give some best practices for mounting on a tree. Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@Cyclex1000]

how to you hang it to the tree?

[@DIYwithWayne]

There are several ways and this video should help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX-Ug6CdZ55pp68 Good luck with your project and have a great day.

[@LongRidgeFarmer]

Where is the link to the PDF file?

[@DIYwithWayne]

In the description. DIYwithWayne.com/birds/house2.pdf Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@dave434]

Little brad nail gun would be good with this . But Nice little and Simple Blue Bird Box.. That board at Lowes will cost you close to 4 dollar now...with taxes.

[@DIYwithWayne]

I have used the small brad nails and they don't hold it together well. Use at least medium size nails. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@dave434]

@@DIYwithWayne With little wood glue, I say it would do fine...

[@DIYwithWayne]

@@dave434 That would help a lot. Just make sure to use a water proof glue.

[@PatPrice123]

1 1/4 inch staples work, 18 gauge

[@greglewis8752]

@@DIYwithWayne You mention to check the inside for nails that are protruding-if using a nail gun the staples and some nails will try to spread to the side. The solution is to hold the nailer at 90 degrees of what you are nailing. [It took me a long time to figure that out :>) ]

[@kathycovington4480]

Where is the pdf with the plans?

[@DIYwithWayne]

They are in the description. Here is a copy of them. The Plans for this house can be found here: DIYwithWayne.com/birds/house2.pdf We also have 3 other designs with videos and PDF Plans: 1, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnnXXoNspb2NjK8 2, kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4vUkoaLqLSMjLM 3, kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJ-mfaWanN2Ybsk To see all our Bird related videos, use this link: kzbin.info/aero/PLn_JpkNGVmDaQqs5inqN4AFYs-1RTxlcM

[@john423]

Why dont you use a little peg at the end of the hole for the birds?

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello John, thank you for your question. Because bluebirds are cavity nesting birds, they are really good at clinging to wood. Also, the presence of a perch may attract house sparrows which need a perch.

[@john423]

@@DIYwithWayne Oh. Ty

[@dennisprice8798]

@@DIYwithWayne Never use a perch. It will attract predators that will use it to reach inside to grab eggs or chicks.

[@iwantosavemoney]

I heard the hole is a big deal for bluebirds have you noticed this sir

[@DIYwithWayne]

We don't have that many Bluebird Houses but always make the hole the same size. Thank you for visiting and have a great day.

[@jackoc0353]

No perch?

[@DIYwithWayne]

No, Bluebirds don't need a perch and predator's can use it to get inside. So for bluebirds, don't install a perch. Thank you for visiting and nave a great day.

[@dennisprice8798]

Good advice but perches are never a good idea for any bird box.

[@betajeyaraj2183]

Letters appear when you do the job and we are not able to see anything that you are doing.

[@DIYwithWayne]

Hello Beta, We are sorry you had a problem but when we watch the video, we don't see any letters over the video. I also had someone in another location try it and they also did not see the letters. So I don't know what to tell you about what you are seeing. Thank you for visiting.