A plastic barrel can also be used as a nest aid. Used barrels are readily available in the food industry and are for sale at some farm supply stores.

The construction of a nest aid from a plastic barrel begins with cutting the opening. In this case the barrel had two screw out openings in the top. A line was placed two and one half inches below the openings. A jigsaw was used to cut along the line then around the upper section of the top. The outside of the jigsaw was placed against the rim of the top as a guide. This decision allowed a small border around the opening to remain.

Plastic Barrel Nest Box - Front

To keep the barrel from rolling or being blown by the wind, a treated 4 x 4 was added to the front and to the back. To position the 4 x 4s the barrel was placed against a wall in the position it would rest on the ground. A 4 x 4 was placed on the barrel and against the wall. A line was drawn to show the eventual position on the bazrrel. Screw holes were bored with a 3/32nd bit. The 4 x 4 was again placed on the barrel. Two inch deck screws on which a washer was placed were then used from the inside of the barrel to secure the 4 x 4 to the barrel. The 4 x 4 attachment process was repeated for the other end of the barrel. Finally a few half inch holes were bored in the side of the barrel that would be placed against the ground to let excess water out of the nest aid.

Plastic Barrel Nest Box - Side

The project is completed by placing the nest aid in a desirable location. Straw is placed in the nest aid for nest material.

This file was placed in service 03/25/2004.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

Last Modified Monday, 06-Feb-2012 09:22:56 CST