The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Jon Feather on October 17, 2016, 12:32:54 pm

Title: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Jon Feather on October 17, 2016, 12:32:54 pm

Hi peeps. 
Just thought id share an idea I had. 
I have always made nest boxes out of wood.  The problem being that they are difficult to clean and an ideal home for mites.  I wanted something that I could easily clean, either all at the same time or individually as required.   :thinking:

So I have made a frame that holds 8 £1 (pound land) buckets: 4 over 4.   :thumbsup:

I'll try to post a picture if anyone is interested in copying what I have done.

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: william_wt on October 17, 2016, 12:42:51 pm

I'd be interested in seeing your setup. Thanks

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Jon Feather on October 17, 2016, 01:50:19 pm

Here we go...

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Backinwellies on October 17, 2016, 01:54:06 pm

I just use upside down sheep/cattle mineral buckets with a bit cut out of side on the floor

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 17, 2016, 03:19:50 pm

As do I.   Half an old plastic water butt works well for larger fowl.  I also have a set of tin baths.  Oh, and if desperate, a 60cm chunk of railway sleeper parked across a corner.

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Anke on October 17, 2016, 08:42:26 pm

We also use plastic storage boxes (from poundland or Asda or something like that) with a square hole cut in the side and an Osb board on top at an angle, so they don't lay on there (and it is underneath the perch).

Have to say, never had a problem with mites since we have a system of bi-annual creosoting..., but still prefer to be able to sterilise/properly clean the nest boxes once in a while and after incubation period.

Title: Re: Buckets as nest boxes
Post by: Dave C on October 17, 2016, 10:28:44 pm

Buckets with lids on and a hole cut in the side are good for when hens go broody, as you can just lift the bucket out of the hen house and into the broody coop with her still inside, not really knowing the difference.