She loves this makeshift 5 gallon bucket nesting box. I thought she and the other two hens might not like it at first, but after a few days they settled in. One day Mo and Doris, the alpha hen, were sitting on eggs together. They were so cute. It was a tight fit, but they looked cozy.
they have been productive. I stuck some golf balls in there too. I started that when they were little. I don't know if they help in any way, but it was something I read about, to give the young ones encouragement.
developed a crack during cold weather. I started to remove it, and install another one. Then I had an idea... just stick another one on the outside of the old one. It worked very well. The two layers probably added some insulation too.
in the beginning, by cutting a hole the same size as the bucket, with a jig saw. Then pushed the bucket through from the outside. It fit tight. I then added a couple of screws through the rim and into the coop wall. I fastened a 1x4 along the inside edge to hold in the bedding.
Later, Cy
P.S. You ever have trouble separating 5 Gal buckets? They stick together so tight! It is enough to throw your back out, pull your fingernails off, and lead you to drink. When I stuck the second bucket on the outside because of the crack, it just stuck on by itself. I did not have to fasten it, and it has never came off.
