How long does it take a new layer to lay?

[chickensuz]

We have a 24 week old Cream Legbar pullet that seems to be having an egg issue. She has been normal until this morning. When I opened the run to let the other birds out, she hung back in the coop. She went into a nest box around 7:30 am and is still there (it is now 12:30pm). She will let us touch her, which is not usual and seems off. Could she be egg bound on the first egg?

 

[ashlierami]

We have a 24 week old Cream Legbar pullet that seems to be having an egg issue. She has been normal until this morning. When I opened the run to let the other birds out, she hung back in the coop. She went into a nest box around 7:30 am and is still there (it is now 12:30pm). She will let us touch her, which is not usual and seems off. Could she be egg bound on the first egg?

I imagine this is her first egg. I've had some stay on the best for 3 or 4 hours until their first eggs comes out finally whenever it is time that is. If she's still there by afternoon I'd check on her. Check under her for the egg. I've had a hen lay her first egg and continue to sit there for hours until I go check and the egg is laid but she's just there chilling out for some reason .

 

[chickensuz]

We are pretty sure it is her first and don't want to over react but also don't want to wait too long. We are new to chickens but have had other first timers that do not have these issues.

 

[staceyj]

We are pretty sure it is her first and don't want to over react but also don't want to wait too long. We are new to chickens but have had other first timers that do not have these issues.

Don’t be alarmed by this behavior. It’s highly unlikely an “eggbound issue” and much more likely an “oh my goodness what is going on inside my body?” issue .
I had one who spent the better part of an entire day on her first egg!
She cried and fussed and worried me to death!


I’ve also had a few who seemed to have to work up to it and were on and off the nest for prolonged periods of time for a few days running until
IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

Don’t forget to show us a picture when it finally comes!

 

[chickensuz]

She just seems so off. She normally won't let us touch her much and we can pick her up. How long until we should worry?

 

[chickensuz]

Well, we took her inside, gave her an epsom salts bath(which she loved). After the bath, she pooped, so not egg bound. She drank a large helping of Tums water and took a nap. Left her inside the house over night and this morning she is like a new bird. She ate her normal chicken feed, was harder to handle (her normal) and even started making noises again (which she had not done). Took her back to the flock this morning and she is doing everything she is supposed to do. No egg yet. Maybe she is just a drama queen or ate something that didn't sit right. Thanks for all your help.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I'm glad she's ok!

 

[chickensuz]

We are too!

 

[staceyj]

So glad to hear she is acting more herself.
I’d keep alert to any signs that she’s amiss again. Occasionally you get a bird who’s plumbing is just a little off. *Most of the time it self corrects.