do hens act weird when they are going to lay

[JesusChick]

our chicks are about 18 weeks old and today one of them was sorta digging a hole in the dirt and "nesting" there. When ever another chick would bother her she would peck at it. Is this chick getting readyt to lay an egg or is something wrong with it. And how do I get them to lay in their nest boxes

 

[barredrockmama]

It sounds like your chicken was just taking a dirt bath. When they lay they will start clucking their heads off.

 

[SunnyDawn]

That's not weird it's normal. It's called "dusting" and it helps them control mites and other critters.

 

[ksct]

Get A Bag Of Play Sand (or Any Kind Of Sand Really) And Spread It Out... Mine Go Crazy! It's Funny To Watch Them. At Least With My Chickens, They All Have To 'bathe' Themselves Practically On Top Of Each Other Because They Want The Spot The Other Was In.

...silly Birds

 

[Land of Lost Toys]

Quote:
Not only do my birds want the spot the others were in, but our one cat pushes the hens out of their hole so he can lay in it and roll around in the dirt....silly cat.

 

[Uppity Peon]

You will see her get kind of ancy and acting confused when she's about to lay her first egg. And she will probably be looking for a place to hide and feel cozy and safe.