Chicken Feeder
Got a henhouse full of chickens? Keep your hens fed and happy with a 5-gallon bucket chicken feeder. You can make one out of any old 5-gallon bucket and PVC pipe. To begin, draw a line where you wish to make the hole in the bucket. The hole should be near the bottom of the bucket without actually touching it.
Leave a margin of approximately 15-20mm to ensure that the grain enters the PVC pipe’s mouth. Mark the bucket’s edge with a marker and trace around it to indicate the size and location of the PVC pipe. If you divide the bucket into thirds, place one PVC elbow in each third. Then cut around your marks, insert the PVC elbows facing down, and fill it up with feed! You can also attach a lid to the bucket with zip ties, which will keep out any pesky rodents.
Side Table
Need a quick and easy side table for your patio, porch, or another area? Think no further than the 5-gallon bucket! All you need is a 5-gallon bucket, a drill with 3/8 inch bit, 4 feet of 1×2 lumber, wood screws (4), 2 hinges, and some sandpaper (80 grit). To begin, mark where you want to drill into the bucket.
The hole should be big enough for your 1×2 lumber to fit through, with a little room to spare on all sides. Then, drill about 4-5 holes along your marks and attach your hinges around the base of the bucket. You can use wood screws to secure the hinges to the bucket. Attach a 1×2 to each side of your table, and you’re done! This is also great as a bedside table or as an end table.
Bucket Seat
If you have a couple of 5-gallon buckets, you can turn them into additional seating with just some fabric and a mattress pad for a cushion. These are easy and won’t take you long at all to make. Start by cutting the fabric into two equal pieces that are just big enough to fit over your buckets. Then, cut out a piece of mattress pad that is just slightly larger than the top of your bucket.
To create the cushion, place the mattress pad on top of the bucket and cover it with one piece of fabric, making sure to wrap the edges over the top of the bucket. Use an adhesive like hot glue or basting spray to secure the fabric in place. Then use the other piece of fabric to cover the entire top of the mattress pad and bucket.
Conclusion
With the tips listed above, you should be able to find plenty of unique ways to use your 5-gallon buckets around the house. From chicken feeders to bubble machines and clothes washers, there are virtually no limits on what you can do with these multi-purpose storage containers. If you want to make any of the 5-gallon bucket projects listed above, all you need to do is follow the simple step-by-step directions, and you can get started right away!
