HOW TO BUILD NESTING BOXES
STEP 1: cut the base and top
For the base and top of your nesting box, measure and mark on the plywood two pieces that are each 24 inches by 12 inches. Use your circular saw or handsaw to make the cuts.
STEP 2: cut the sides and divider
For the sides and center divider, measure, mark and cut two pieces of plywood that are each 14 inches by 12 inches (sides) and one piece that is 121⁄2 inches by 111⁄4/ inches (center divider). Set the center divider aside for now.
STEP 3: attach the sides
Using your screwdriver, attach a side to each end of the box’s base, placing one screw at each corner at least 1 inch from the edge and one screw in the middle of each side.
STEP 4: attach the top
Use your screwdriver to attach the top to the box’s sides, using three screws for each side.
STEP 5: cut and attach the back
For the back of the nesting box, measure out, mark and cut a piece of plywood that is 24 inches long by 14 inches wide. Secure the plywood piece into place, driving one screw about 2 inches from each corner and one about every 5 inches in between.
STEP 6: attach the center divide
Lay the box on its back and slide the pre-cut center divider piece directly into the center so that it fits snugly against all sides. You should now have two boxes of equal size. Secure the divider into place, driving two screws each into the top and bottom and three screws into the back.
STEP 7: attach the lip
With the box still on its back, add a lip to the front of the box by attaching a 221⁄2-inch length of 1x2 pine across the bottom front of the structure. Drive two screws through each of the box’s sides and into the lip and one through the lip and into the base about every 6 inches in between, making sure the screws drive securely into the plywood and don’t poke out at all.
STEP 8: make the perch
Add a 12-inch length of 1x2 pine to the bottom of each side of the box, allowing 8 inches to extend out in front of the box. Drive two screws through each of these arms into the sides of the box. Connect the two arms with a 24-inch length of 2x2 pine, securing it into place by driving two screws through the end of each arm into the ends of the 2x2.