Grouchy pullet...ready to lay?

[Jensownzoo]

I think one of my sex-link pullets growled at me today, then pecked at my shoes really hard. It was a new type of vocalization anyway and the shoes are the same I've always worn. I counted back and they're 17 weeks old. Do pullets get grouchy when they're ramping up to laying their first egg? Sort of like PMS for chickens?

I guess I should think about some nesting boxes...time has truly gotten away from me!

 

[Pork Pie]

Its not something that i have noticed. A reddening of the comb and wattle, along with submissive squats when you approach a pullet are usually good signs that she is getting ready to lay - along with spending time in the coop / nests. The sooner you get the nests sorted, the better as its easier to have your chickens laying where you wish, rather than having to hunt for eggs. They are creatures of habit, so its best to be proactive. You could always use a couple of plastic basins with sand in them, whilst you are making your nest boxes for a quick fix (its what i have used in the past, being portable means i can move a broody to a quiet place to set, should i wish).

CT

 

[Jensownzoo]

Yeah, unfortunately their combs/wattles/faces have been pretty red since I moved them outside at 8 weeks. It is possible for them to get redder though so I'll be watching. Maybe something else set her off...or maybe it has finally settled that she's head hen and she was testing me? That seems more likely now that I think about it.