Bird Ladder Repair

Does your bird chew on their ladders until the rungs (steps) are no longer usable? Mine does. Before you buy (or build) a replacement ladder you can try repairing the current one. $2 for a dowel rod vs $20+ for a new ladder (assuming you already have some of the tools).

Birds like to (and should be) chewing. They should be chewing their toys, not their ladders. You ever see the meme of the guy cutting the 2x4 that he's standing on? That's pretty much my bird Launchpad.

• Flush cut trim saw (or dovetail saw)
• Speed square
• Pencil
• DrillBlock (optional, but highly recommended)
• Awl or Punch (optional)
• Drill
• Drill bits (1/8" and 3/8" or 5/16". Whatever matches the dowels you're replacing)
• Caliper (optional) - to help determine the correct dowel diameter 
• Glue (optional)
• Wooden dowel (3/8", 5/16". Whatever matches the dowels you're replacing)

Determine the diameter of the current ladder rung/dowels. You can use a rule or tape measure. Or if you have access to a caliper, you will get a more accurate measurement. In my experience the shorter/smaller ladders (under 12") use 5/16" dowels for the ladder rungs/steps. Larger ladders (Two feet and longer) use 3/8" dowel for the ladder rungs/steps.

Obtain (if you don't already have) a drill bit and replacement dowel of that diameter.

Use a flush cut trim saw to cut old the damaged dowel.

Note: You can see in the photos where we tried using vet tape to discourage/limit the damage.

I find the speed square really useful for this part. Line up the long edge to the center of the remaining dowel piece. On the alternate edge/side of the ladder make a pencil mark along the part of the square that is resting agaist the ladder.

Make a cross on the previous pencil mark to indicate the center. If you have punch, you can make a divot in the center of the cross to help with the next step.

Repeat for the other side of the ladder rung.

Use the smaller 1/8" drill bit to make a pilot hole. Using the DrillBlock will help you drill at 90 degree angle. If you made a divot in the previous step, that will help you get the placement on the drill bit correct.

Double check that it drilled through the center of the old dowel.

Repeat for the other side of the ladder rung.

Now you will drill out the old dowel, leaving a hole in its place.

Switch to the larger drill bit (3/8" or 5/16" to match the size of the dowel you are replacing).

Using the DrillBlock will help you drill at a 90 degree angle. The pilot hole from the previous step will help you get the placement on the drill bit correct.

This will cut out the remainder of the old dowel, and leave you a hole to pass the new dowel through.

Repeat for the other side of the ladder rung.

Insert the replacement dowel throught the holes you made in the previous step. You may need to twist a little if the fit is tight.

Insert/Slide the replacement dowel though the first, and then the second hole (from the previous steps). You may need to twist a little if the fit is tight.

Back the dowel out a little, so it is below the surface of the outer surface.

Now use the flush cut trim saw to shorten the dowel to length. If you now push the remaining dowel in, it won't extend past the outer surface on either side.

Otherwise you need to cut the ladder rung twice to be flush with the outer surfaces. 

I find the new dowels to be a snug fit, and skipped adding glue. This makes future replacements, really simple.

Push the dowel so it extends out through one side.

Add some non-toxic glue (such as Elmer's white glue) in the hole/recess on the other side.

Push the dowel back in, but extend out through the other side.

Add some non-toxic glue in the hole/recess on the alternate side.

Now push the dowel back into place (so it is flush on both outer edges), clean up any extra glue, and let dry. (This hopefully prevented getting glue over too much of the dowel).

The glue should be dry in about 20 minutes.

Admire your handy-work. And watch your best friend immediately start to chew the brand new ladder rung. I hope you skipped the optional glue step :)

If you find the replacement ladder rungs too slick for your bird, you can either scuff them up, cut little notches in, or wrap in vet tape.

Check out my other set of instructions for making the entire ladder using a 3D printed jig.