Egg song before an egg?

[OrlandoMama]

Like she’s sitting on it?

This is the girl in question and I tried to get a picture of where when she was on my lap. She’s not happy

 

[JustBabyMargo]

If you want to help her lay it you can soak her in Epsom salt! It worked for my new layer polish when she was having a hard time passing a soft shelled egg!

 

[OrlandoMama]

Sounds like she needs to lay sometimes you can massage the area and it will help her push the egg sooner. Also greasing the vent with bagbalm makes it easier for a first egg if she is having issues. Give it a little bit of time most likely she will do it herself without the above treatments.

Okay, I’m so confused. I waited a good while after her freaking out for HOURS singing, acting like she’s trying to lay, grunting and whatnot overall just her freaking out and she’s acting normal now. I don’t get it. I couldn’t find an egg anywhere so I don’t think she laid. Any ideas of what’s going on?

 

[WonkierZulu]

She might be stressed out she will lay in her own time. Only time I would worry if she starts acting egg bound. Plenty of old threads describing this. Had one hen that didn't start laying until 9 months in.

 

[NatJ]

So I just came back from the coop and she definitely has an egg but it’s lingering at the bottom of her breast bone and it feels big

Have you tried feeling any of your other hens? I wonder if you were feeling her gizzard instead of an egg.

When I'm trying to figure out what something is, I try to feel the same area on several other chickens. Sometimes I find that it is normal, but I just never noticed it before. And sometimes I realize it is a problem, but comparing it with the others makes me more sure of that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So I just came back from the coop and she definitely has an egg but it’s lingering at the bottom of her breast bone and it feels big

Leave her alone and let her at it.
It's not uncommon for new layers to walk around making a lot of noise for days before they even lay.

Relax.
You would not feel an egg at the bottom of the breast bone - possibly you are feeling the Gizzard or Crop?

The reproductive system is on TOP of the chicken, the digestive system is on the BOTTOM.

 

[OrlandoMama]

Leave her alone and let her at it.
It's not uncommon for new layers to walk around making a lot of noise for days before they even lay.

Relax.
You would not feel an egg at the bottom of the breast bone - possibly you are feeling the Gizzard or Crop?

The reproductive system is on TOP of the chicken, the digestive system is on the BOTTOM.

View attachment 2793445

Thank you, I feel dumb. It probably was. She ended up laying midday today but you’re probably right but yesterday she was having an absolute fit. This is my first personal flock(I’ve raised chickens with my parents but they always had a a stream of consistent layers) so I wasn’t quite sure if something was wrong with her or if she was having problems. I was afraid because I know chickens can die quickly from being egg bound and I love my girls and want to care for them the best I can. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[springvalley123]

Please, you're not dumb! I thought they were having some crisis, then looking into it (not BYC-specific though) I realized it had to do with laying, and thought they urgently needed oyster shells! Then realized/learned that the first egg could often be preceded by a lot of "fanfare".

Thank you, I feel dumb. It probably was. She ended up laying midday today but you’re probably right but yesterday she was having an absolute fit. This is my first personal flock(I’ve raised chickens with my parents but they always had a a stream of consistent layers) so I wasn’t quite sure if something was wrong with her or if she was having problems. I was afraid because I know chickens can die quickly from being egg bound and I love my girls and want to care for them the best I can. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[Katanahamon]

Please, you're not dumb! I thought they were having some crisis, then looking into it (not BYC-specific though) I realized it had to do with laying, and thought they urgently needed oyster shells! Then realized/learned that the first egg could often be preceded by a lot of "fanfare".

It’s quite shocking to get chicks, have them a couple days, and see these giant, tumorous looking swellings making them look lopsided! It’s all part of learning..and you know what? I like reading how concerned ppl are for their animals..it’s somehow reassuring that there are good ppl in the world! People…..people who neeeed..chickens….. Or people, depending on your mood..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you, I feel dumb. It probably was. She ended up laying midday today but you’re probably right but yesterday she was having an absolute fit. This is my first personal flock(I’ve raised chickens with my parents but they always had a a stream of consistent layers) so I wasn’t quite sure if something was wrong with her or if she was having problems. I was afraid because I know chickens can die quickly from being egg bound and I love my girls and want to care for them the best I can. Thank you so much for your help.

No, not dumb at all!!! I didn't mean to make you feel that way

We all learn something new every day.

I have 2 hens that are quite dramatic over egg laying. 1 is 4 yrs old and she's always had a fit, so I've heard this carrying on literally for years. The other is over 1 yr. She free roams and is just as dramatic if not more since she does fly too. She flies onto the porch roof, gets on shelving in the out buildings, snoops into all kinds of things all the while making a RACKET. She's got an egg and wants everyone to know, but it's not quite "ready" so she's plundering and making noise until she decides its time to get into a nesting box. She gets everyone worked up, especially the roosters when she flies onto the roof and just squawks. Good grief Yep, been doing every since she came into lay.
I've got experience with dramatic hens.
There's some that are just as quiet as the others are "loud".
I wouldn't have it any other way, I love it all!

I completely understand that you want to take care of them the best you can! I (We) are always happy to help, ask questions! This is how I learn, I read what others have to say. I don't know all the answers. I have to look things up, research and ask just like everyone else.