Will these work as nest boxes

[si vis pacem para b]

I found that my local donut shop sells square buckets that have an opening that is 9&1/2 inches by 9&1/2 inches and are fourteen inches deep. They are similar to the square cat litter boxes. Right now my chickens lay in random things they have turned into nests. I'm trying to get them to lay in one place. I was just wondering if they are too small before I build something with them. Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[OkChickens]

One thing that works well is milk crakes. I cut the side with about 3" on sides and the bottem and hang the milk crate on the wall. Those would work but it would be hard to keep the eggs from rolling out on to the floor. What kind of chickens do you have?

Nate

 

[mississippifarmboy]

What breed(s) of chickens do you have? These would work well I think for small breeds, might be a bit small for the larger breeds. Do they have lids? If so you could glue the lids on, then split the buckets in half from top to bottom, lay them on the side and have larger nest boxes.

Good luck!

 

[t/m]

and

from VA!

 

[si vis pacem para b]

I have mainly black sex links and a couple rhode island reds. They do come with lids. I was thinking something like this but with square buckets.

 

[maizy'smom]

I use those cat litter buckets to store the chicken feed in, and another one holds all the cleaning brushes, scoops, dust pans, etc. I also have a special needs SLW with a cross-beak, named Sylvie, whose entire day is about eating. Sylvie knows that "bucket=food," in fact, she knows it so well, that no bucket is safe from her investigation. If I am cleaning out the coop, she is in the cleaning bucket. When I go out to feed them and open the storage cabinet, she's in the cabinet climbing into the feed bucket before I can even bring it out to dispense the feed. So, yes, she fits inside one of those buckets, and she chooses to get into them on her own. In fact, I think the bucket is even deeper than the nesting boxes that the girls use in the coop. I think the buckets would make fine nesting boxes. There are posts on here that show nesting boxes made from 5 gallon paint buckets. I think the cat litter buckets would work even better, since they are flat and won't roll around.

mm

 

[anderson8505]

Quote:
Yup, I was thinking the same thing! With the lids on, you'd have the right size I think. I would only cut the lid in half and glue the half lid on, I wouldn't cut the buckets in half, they like the closeness of it usually. Or, just cut the top inner part off and leave the rim of the lid so it stays on the bucket. There's someone who is marketing the same idea and selling them for too much! They're called Fowl Stuff if you want to get an idea of what to do with your buckets, just do a search. http://fowlstuff.com/

 

[32bantam]

I'm new to the chicken world so I can't answer your question.

I did however notice your screen name.

Here's a pic of the airbox on our dragbike.

Click the pic for a full size view.

 

[si vis pacem para b]

Thank for your quick responses I will put a couple of them out there and see if I can get them to lay in them. What is the best way to attract them to the boxes?
Oh Yeah Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum!!!!

 

[ladyride]

Some kind of nesting material pine shavings, hay, straw, whatever your choice put a golf ball, fake egg, wooden or plastic.It gives them an idea where to lay I currently have golf balls in my nesting boxes. The girls put them on under them & lay right next to them.