5 Gal Buckets as Nest Boxes

[desertcat]

For those who (like me) thought this would be quick & easy, how's it working for you?

Mine isn't. They go in, leave feathers, throw the golf balls out and lay their eggs under the perch in the corner.

I'm about to give up and just give them a box there. I tried moving the buckets and they moved the egg laying to another spot.

I don't have pictures of the set up right now, but will get some when DH gets back with the camera.

 

[Fowl Visions]

I tried a five gallon bucket on the ground and they did use it but they prefer the milk crates I have hanging on the walls better.

 

[Judy]

I don't think you really want a nest box under the perch unless you are going to use the top of it for a poop board. Mine did the same thing when they first started laying. After a few weeks, they caught on, and now use nest boxes.

Is there a board or cut open 5 gallon lid or something, on the front of the buckets, to help hold nesting material in?

 

[SunAngel]

We had a friend build us a bunch of wooden apple crate boxes, a little smaller for the bantams. Mine wouldn't use any of those! Instead, 9 broodies decided to cram the into 4 plastic cat litter containers I had also put out for nesting boxes. I finally gave up, took the wooden boxes out and added 6 more litter containers. I leave a portion of the lid on so nothing rolls out and they feel a little more secluded.

 

[MIKE555444]

My chickies did not like the 5 gal buckets.... but I understand that others have had luck with them

I took these out and build boxes on the out side this weekend.... I will produce pics later this week

 

[shelleyd2008]

Mine always use the nest buckets, but they do have other places they like to lay. Make sure the bucket has something on the front bottom of it to keep things from rolling out. Ours have the lids with holes cut in them for the hens to go in and out.

 

[Rooster Cogburn Jr.]

I just bought 5 small wicker baskets from Tractor Supply for $3 each. I just put them in. No eggs yet. But they are getting in. Gonna have to nail them to the studs so they don't tip over.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Quote:
I tried this too... but my chickens don't fit in them

So they have become all sorts of things, and now we use storage totes & XXL plastic flower pots

 

[Zoomom]

the first day, my girls used them but I think it is too small. They put a hole in one egg, and they can't turn around. SO I switched to a cat carrier with the door off and a dish washing basin.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Another good idea for nest boxes are the kitty litter boxes that have tops on them. They are plenty big enough for a LF hen. I've also seen some people use the plastic buckets that the kitty litter comes in.