Opinions please!! 4gal buckets as nest boxes as opposed to 5gal?

I've been reading a lot about people successfully using 5 gal buckets turned on their side as nest boxes but can't find any threads on using 4 gal buckets. I have an abundance of 4 gallon buckets that I've already installed in my coop for my hens, but now I'm worried they may be too small..

I am a first time chicken mom and I have all heavy breeds including Light Brahmas that are the size of small turkeys in my opinion , but I've heard that hens like small spaces for nesting and if the nest boxes are too big, multiple hens will crowd in with each other.

My hens are 16 weeks old so they still have a month or two before I see an egg, but just wanted some input on what others think of using a 4 gal as opposed to a 5 for the big girls.

The top opening of the 4 gal buckets are identical in diameter to the 5 gal, the only difference is that the 4 gals are slightly shorter than the 5 gals.

Any input is appreciated!!
Thanks, all!

I would think it could work. Could you post a picture of your chickens compared to them?

Yes, I can get the 4 gallon buckets for free at a bakery shop located in a grocery store. You can use them. I have to buy 5 gallon buckets.

You need to have a frame of some type to hold them in place. You have several options on how you do that. You can mount them horizontal, vertical, or at a 45 degree angle. If you mount them horizontal you need a lip maybe 4” to 5” high to hold in the bedding material. Otherwise they will scratch the nesting material, fake eggs, and real eggs out. Some people get by with shorter lips but I run into problems when I try that.

Most people like to build a frame with openings to set the buckets in so they can be easily removed. I don’t. I take a fender washer and screw and screw that through the bucket from the inside into a solid piece of wood to firmly hold it in place. You might need a fairly small electric screwdriver to fit in the bucket so you can screw it in. I mount mine at a 45 degree angle just because that is the way I do it. There is nothing wrong with them being vertical or horizontal.

I have had pullets start to lay at 16 weeks but that is pretty rare. Most of mine wait until at least 5 months. I suggest you get some nests in there pretty soon. You want the nests available when they start to lay. And if you have any trouble with them, like the chickens sleeping in them or scratching the nesting material out, it’s good to know that in time to fix the problem before they start to lay.

Posts #2 and #183 in this thread shows you some photos that might help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/41108/show-us-your-nest-boxes-ingenous-design-post-it-here

I could not find any photos of them mounted vertical but with your big hens and shorter 4 gallon buckets you might want to consider that. I don’t think vertical is necessary but I could be wrong.

Thanks for the responses, I couldn't get a good picture of them next to the boxes but if they wanted to squeeze in, they could. I have 20 hens and have mounted 12 buckets to one wall of our barn. Their roosts are at a max height of 3 ft so to keep the nest boxes lower I mounted them about 8 inches off the floor. I used three screws at the end of each bucket attaching them to the wall and cut off 3/4 of the lids and snapped on the remaining 1/4 of the lid at the bottom to keep the shavings in.

This picture shows the buckets in place but with the lids still covering the boxes (about 3 weeks ago). The lids are now cut and in place and the hens have free choice to check them out. I will try to get a picture of my biggest girl next to the box for comparison.

Here are some better pictures for size comparison.

I think that will work fine.

Ridgerunner said:

I think that will work fine.

Click to expand...

Agreed!

They are a little small, but chickens don't really mind.

I guess I'll wait and see. If my Brahmas get any bigger I may have to build some plus-sized boxes,
thanks again!

Are 4 gallon buckets the same diameter as 5's but just shorter, like 3.5 gallon can be?

Even my smallest pullet didn't like 5 gallon bucket nest, didn't like bending her tail in half to turn around......the brahma just kept backing out.
Went with 14x14x16 boxes instead.

aart said:

Are 4 gallon buckets the same diameter as 5's but just shorter, like 3.5 gallon can be?

Even my smallest pullet didn't like 5 gallon bucket nest, didn't like bending her tail in half to turn around......the brahma just kept backing out.
Went with 14x14x16 boxes instead.

Click to expand...

Oh gosh, that's what I'm worried about. The 4 gal buckets I have are identical to the couple 5gal buckets I have- just shorter (only had 2, 5gal buckets and about 2 dozen 4 gallons so we went with the 4's). I've heard they like tight spaces but as you've experienced, I might have to consider making boxes as well. Thank you for the dimensions, I'll pass them on to my hubby...he's going to be so excited to contribute more of his time to my hobby!
We may hold off until the girls start to lay...hopefully my Australorps or Orpingtons might use them. We can always add a second row of bigger boxes for the Brahmas if the others use the buckets.
Thanks again