Confused mama laying multiple eggs

[Schrebergaertner]

Our first-time broody has done a great job with her 8 chicks, which are 6 weeks old now. The past few days she's started squawking to get out of the coop and going sort of crazy once she gets out. Sometimes she wants her babies with her, and sometimes she wants to get away (if I had 8 kids, I'd probably be the same). The strangest thing is that she's started laying again, and we're getting 2 or once even 3 eggs in a day, and then none for a couple days. We're sure she's not hiding them, because we check closely to confirm there are no eggs, and then a few hours later there will be 2 or 3. It's as if she can't figure out whether she's supposed to be mothering or laying and she holds them in (which might be part of why she's acting so agitated).

Anyone else ever experienced anything like this with a new mama?

Thanks!