DOUBLE CHICKADEE HOUSE 
Here is a design for a chickadee house that is not only pleasing to the 
eye, but will also be attractive to these desirable birds. 
The chickadees are often known to nest in double houses and will stay 
all winter providing they are fed and sheltered. 
The upper part of this house has two rooms for the nests, while on the 
lower part a roost is provided where the birds may find shelter from the 
cold winds and stormy weather. 
The front of this house should face the south, or should be placed where 
it would be shaded in the summer and sunny in the winter. 
Material Required 
Lumber— y 2 inch cypress or white pine. 
Pieces 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
Finished Sizes—In. 
Y 2 "x 9"xl4" 
y 2 "x5y 2 ''xU'' 
y 2 "x 7y n xiiy" 
y 2 "x 8M"x12M" 
y 2 "x 5"x9" 
y 2 "x4,y 2 "x7 " 
^"x^'xlO" 
Use 
Back 
Sides 
Front 
Roof 
Bottom 
Partition 
Rod for Perch 
Hardware, Etc. 
iy inch brads. 
1 inch screws. 
Tools—Rule, pencil, square, saw, plane, hammer, brace, l / 2 and % 
inch auger bits, iy inch expansion bit, coping saw, nail set, and screw¬ 
driver. 
Construction 
Cutting Stock. Before cutting the lumber, study the drawing care¬ 
fully. Be sure you have the front and sides marked out accurately before 
starting to cut them out. The bottom edge of the front, and the curve on 
the side pieces and front, should be carefully cut out with a coping saw. 
After sawing these piece out sandpaper the saw marks from the edges so 
they will have a smooth surface for staining or painting. 
Before starting to put the house together see that you have all the 
pieces necessary, and they are the correct size, shape, and perfectly square. 
Bore the entrance, ventilation, and perch holes in the two sides before 
starting to assemble the house. 
— 17 
If you do not have an expansion bit for the entrance hole draw a iy 
inch circle, bore a hole inside the circle with a small bit, insert the coping 
saw blade, and you can cut the hole out with a saw. 
If you use the coping saw for cutting the entrance hole don’t forget to 
sandpaper the edge of the hole smooth. 
Assembling 
1. Nail the two sides on the back pieces, having the ends and edges of 
sides and back even. The back piece of this house fits between the two side 
pieces. 
2. Nail the front on the two sides, and keep the top edge of the front 
piece exactly even with the slanted top end of the sides. This part of the 
assembling must be carefully done in order to make the roof fit accurately. 
3. Fit and nail in the bottom next. The bottom must fit tight between 
the two sides, back, and front. The bottom must be nailed exactly as 
shown in drawing. 
4. Fit and nail in the partition next. It is not necessary to have the 
partition go up to the roof. 
5. Before fastening on the roof see that it fits tightly all around in order 
to keep out the wind and rain. It should be fastened to the house with a 
few one inch screws so it can be easily taken off to clean out the house. 
6. Put the perch on last. This perch is made from a piece of dowel rod 
and should be just as long as the roof. It should stick out the same distance 
on each side, and can be held in place by driving a small brad thru the front 
edge of the side. 
Finishing 
Carefully set all nails, fill all the holes with putty, and sandpaper off all 
tool marks. If any of the joints are not even they can be made even and 
smooth by sandpapering. The body of the house should be stained or 
painted a dark green. The roof and perch a dark brown. The roof will give 
better service if covered with roofing or an asphalt shingle. On account of 
the curved sides it will not be practical to attempt to cover this house with 
bark, and do not paint or stain the house on the inside. Fasten the house 
on the sheltered side of a tree about 10 or 12 feet above the ground and 
protect from the cats. 
