Hen acting crazy!

[OliveandherHens]

My Buff hen started laying about a week ago with no problems and very little behavior besides a bit of singing. One of my barred rock hens, I suspect, is about to start laying but her behavior is so weird and I'm not sure it's normal? Screaming loudly, pacing from coop to nesting box to roof of the coop and back again. Scratching her nails in the nesting box to the point that they have started to bleed (afraid the other girls will pick on her because she's also bleeding!) and then she will sit for a few minutes screaming. Then it all begins again. I'm guessing she's going to start laying but you don't suspect she's egg bound?? Is this behavior normal??

 

[shodack]

One of my hens seemed much more overwhelmed by onset of laying than the other three did, though i'm pretty new at this. She was in and out of the nest a lot for a couple days, staying away from the others and me especially. Hopefully some more experienced folks will have better information.
Just really wanted to say that I love your profile picture! Super sweet!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hens are generally agitated at the onset of lay, yours sounds a little bit crazier than anything I've ever seen personally. Hopefully she starts soon.

 

[aart]

Is there something sharp in the nest that she cut her foot on?
She may have cut it somewhere else too...the roof?

How long has this behavior been going on?
You might want to take a look at her vent and abdomen, have someone take a pic maybe.

They do act pretty crazy.