Giant Hood

The giant hood is a great way to transport your bird. It keeps prying eyes out, keeps the bird quiet and safe, controls the mutes and keeps your car clean. The problem with most wood giant hoods is they are too heavy. This giant hood uses one sheet of coreplast and is extremely light. You can purchase coreplast from sign stores. They run from $15 to $35 a sheet. I like the black color because it is completely opaque, but I’ve seen it done in white and yellow.

A free source for coreplast
After elections are over, find the large signs and use them. They will be white, but, hey, it’s free.

I would suggest printing out this pattern onto heavy weight paper and go through the steps below. This is a good way to see exactly how it all goes together and make more sense to you.

Supplies

4′ x 8′ Black Coroplast
Exacto knife
Fresh Contact cement
Yard stick
White china marker
Cheap throw away brushes for the glue
Gorilla Tape

Instructions

– Marking the coroplast can be difficult. If you can’t find a white china marker, you can try a white colored pencil. When gluing the sides together, cover both sides to be glued together completely and allow to dry first.

1. SIDES – Fold down J then F, glue.
2. BACK – Fold in this order, B, A, C, D, glue This order gives a smooth surface inside and out.
3. FRONT – Fold door cut-out first. Glue K, L next. Glue door last.
4. VENTILATION HOLES – Come down from top edge 1″ and in from side 1″ Cut 4 slits 1 ½” high and ¼” wide. Each slit is 3 grooves wide and 4 grooves apart. Don’t make these too large. You want as little light to get in as possible, yet still allow for ventilation. ALTERNATIVE – Go to a hardware store and find the round eves vents. Get the smallest ones you can find. You will need at least three at each location
5. DOOR – For extra strength, Gorilla tape the door hinge.
6. HANDLES – Using a good soft nylon or dacron rope, attach two pieces for the handles. Poke a hole in the back and front and insert the rope. Tie a knot on the inside at each end. A washer can be slipped on the rope before you tie the knots so the knot does not come through the hole. Don’t make them too long. When you carry the box, you need to carry it easily without it hitting the ground.
7. Use Velcro to close the door. Cut two pieces about 7″ long. Separate the hook side from the loop side. Cut the loop side in half. Glue one on the door at the top and the other on the side so it lines up with the one on the door. Keeping the hook strip whole, simply attach it to both side and door. Repeat on the bottom of the door as well.
8. Cut a scrap piece of 2 x 4 for the perch. This is screwed from the outside. You can use washers here for extra security. Cover the 2 x 4 with whatever material you choose. I like the long “grass” you get from a door mat.
9. Allow the Giant Hood to cure and air out for several days before you use it.
10. Simply place some newspapers on the bottom and your ready to go.
11. This step is optional, but it really finishes the Giant Hood and makes it look cleaner. Take lengths of the Gorilla Tape and cover all the edges and corners. I use Gorilla Tape because it doesn’t loose it’s stick after a few years. Rub it down really good.