Eggbound?

[giglio96]

I am brand new to raising chickens. I have a flock of 6 Isa Browns, about 4 months old. One of my girls started laying last week. She layed 2 very soft shelled eggs, she has layed 3 since, hard shells. She layed an egg yesterday afternoon, but was acting a little "under the weather". Did not want to free range with her flock, kind of "Pouty", etc. She looks odd to me as well, almost as if her tail feathers are drooping and her comb is completely flopped over. This morning, she didn't leave the coop with her sisters, finally came out, didn't eat, but drank a ton of water. She then proceeded to go in her nest box and sat for about 3 hours. No egg. Came back outside, again didn't eat, but drank a ton again. My daughter has decided to hand feed her clover and she will pick at that. Am I worried about nothing, is this common for a young hen. None of the other girls are laying yet. Do I need to be doing something for her?

 

[BeulahBreezes]

I read your post with great interest as I have a 19 week old RIR who is acting strangely also. She'll go to her nesting box for awhile..(1/2 hour or so), then come out and eat and drink. (no egg) But something seems odd about the way she keeps squatting and pooping....sometimes there is no poop, but she looks like she is straining to poop....? Hmmm....I don't know if this is all part of the beginning of egg laying?????
Can somebody help us here.....Thanks! ~beulah