Eggbound?

[chickinlickin]

Hello -
I've got a 5 mo old pullet (barred rock-ancona mutt) thats been on the nest for about an hour...from time to time she sings and clucks like crazy...but no egg yet. She's very flighty anyway and when I get close to her she freaks out a little....

She's only started to lay this week - 4- 5 eggs so far.

Any suggestions??
Thanks.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Does she look distressed? Sometimes it takes new layers a little longer.

 

[chickinlickin]

Maybe a little a little..she seemed nervous.

..but I just went out and she is out of the nest and no egg....

 

[Elite Silkies]

Is she panting?

I would give her a little time. You can try and feel her and see if you can feel an egg.

Keep us posted.

 

[chickinlickin]

It's been over 2 hrs since she got out of the nest and she's running around, scratching and eating grass....just like normal. I watched her for a little while and she's eating, drinking and pooping....so I don't know what's going on.

eta - she is a little noisier than normal, i think.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

My new layers do this too...they take turns sitting in the nest boxes for long periods of time, sometimes there's an egg, sometimes there isn't. I think that when they are newbies, there may be some confusion as to when they are "close", and so they sit and sit and sit. Kind of like a small child that is learning to use the potty...they aren't quite sure about the internal cues, so they sit there for an hour before they do the deed...

 

[chickinlickin]

Thanks, that puts me a liittle more to ease.

You should have seen my dw and dd running out to the coop every time that hen would cackle...

...about every 10 minutes for an hour or so...

 

[chickinlickin]

Well that crazy hen did the same thing this afternoon...sat in the box for over an hour....cackling and carying on...and no egg.

She seems just fine otherwise....what should I watch for if she's eggbound?...or not worry about it?

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

If she fluffs up, is panting, or acting otherwise oddly, then ideally have her seen by a vet, if yours sees chickens...

Good luck!!