normal first egg behavior or possible trouble

[KCNC06]

I'm pretty new to the wonderful world of chickens so I'm not really sure what is normal for chickens right before they start laying. My favorite girl is acting very strange today. She has made three little nests, and has been in this third nest for about 45 minutes on and off. She'll come out yelling like she's laid an egg, but there's nothing there. Then she'll go back, scratch around for a while and start over. She's about 8 months old and is a Barred Rock, so it's about time for her to lay. Could she be egg bound and that's why it's taking so long for the egg to come out, or does it normally take a while the first time? She's acting like a dog in labor!
If she was egg bound, how could I tell and what could I do? I picked her up and felt her belly, but didn't really know what to feel for.
Thanks!!

 

[speckledhen]

I've had them act that way just before the first egg. Just give her time and I bet she'll pop out a perfect little brown egg for you.

 

[KCNC06]

Oh I hope so! She's my favorite!

 

[KCNC06]

We have an egg!!!! She's still hanging out with it and isn't making any noise now, but we definitely have an egg!

 

[speckledhen]

See? I love my Barred Rocks. Congrats!!

 

[KCNC06]

I'm so excited!! Now if we can only convince her to move out of the Dogloo and into the nest loft.