A 4 x 8 ft walk-in cage of six 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails and bird netting, over a row of berries.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
48 x 96 inFootprint
76 inHeight
5 to 8 hrBuild time
$143.50Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
2
2x4
44 1/2
Top rail left
on edge, between the posts
2
2x4
44 1/2
Top rail right
on edge, between the posts
3
2x4
41
Top cross
on edge, between the posts
3
4x4 PT
94
Post front
buried 18 in
3
4x4 PT
94
Post back
buried 18 in
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 12 ft
Top rail left 1 44 1/2Top rail left 2 44 1/2Top rail right 1 44 1/2
2x4 x 8 ft
Top rail right 2 44 1/2Top cross 1 41
2x4 x 8 ft
Top cross 2 41Top cross 3 41
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post front 1 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post front 2 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post front 3 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post back 1 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post back 2 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post back 3 94
Shopping list $143.50 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x12 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$7.12
$7.12
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 stud, SPF
Home Depot
2
$4.15
$8.30
see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
6
$11.28
$67.68
see lumber cutting diagram
Bird netting 14 x 14 ft (Vigoro)
Home Depot
2
$12.97
$25.94
14 x 14 ft bird netting
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Poultry staples 3/4 in, 1 lb
Southern States
1
$4.49
$4.49
Total before tax
$143.50
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Dig six 18 in holes, three each side 4 ft apart across and 4 ft along, and set the 4x4 posts plumb in gravel, tops 76 in above the ground.
Screw the 2x4 top rails along each side, on edge, and the three cross rails between the sides.
Drape the bird netting over the top and down all four sides to the ground, and clip it to the rails with plastic clips.
Hold the bottom with soil or boards, and fold one end into a flap you can lift to walk in.
Before you start
Netting on a frame keeps birds off blueberries and cherries. Netting laid on bare plants traps birds and snags.
Choose 3/4 in mesh or smaller for songbirds. Remove the top netting for winter in heavy snow regions so it does not collapse.
The posts are on 4 ft centers across so a standard 4 ft bed sits inside.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.