Pullet (20 weeks) restless and irritated - pretty sure 1st egg is near. Is this normal behavior?

[Spaeth-chicks]

One of my 20 week old pullets Jaeyna, has been acting very restless, and irritated the last few days. Today especially, she's yelling and running back and forth in the run. She's snapping at her flock mates. She wants to sit on our laps when we're in the run with her. She hasn't shown interest in the nesting boxes, or even spending time in the coop while acting this way. Her comb and wattles are very red. I'm sure she's ready to lay soon, but she's just been so mean, irritable, demanding, and LOUD. Is this typical behavior for a first egg? Her flock mate Ginger laid her first egg on Tuesday, and again today. She just got quiet and spent most of the day in a nesting box with her first egg. Jaeyna is the opposite...restless, upset, wants nothing to do with the boxes...What's the deal? Has anyone experienced this type of behavior before a first egg? I just want her to get it out so she can calm the #@$% down already.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Very possible. She's hormonal, she's confused, and trying to figure things out.

 

[aart]

Has anyone experienced this type of behavior before a first egg?

Oh, yeah...pretty typical, tho some are more 'crazy' than others.
Had a group of pullets one year that were so loud and rowdy I had to close the windows in my house to hear on the phone for work.

 

[Sally PB]

Just like some teenaged girls when they hit puberty...

 

[Spaeth-chicks]

Oh, yeah...pretty typical, tho some are more 'crazy' than others.
Had a group of pullets one year that were so loud and rowdy I had to close the windows in my house to hear on the phone for work.

Yes, she's just pacing and yelling. She's so restless and seems anxious. I feel bad for her, cause I know she's confused, and probably not feeling too great. I wish she would show interest in the nesting boxes. I guess she'll figure it out eventually. The pullets that act this way, how long does it typically last before they finally lay that egg in your experience?

 

[Spaeth-chicks]

Just like some teenaged girls when they hit puberty...

YES, it seems EXACTLY like that!

 

[aart]

The pullets that act this way, how long does it typically last before they finally lay that egg in your experience?

Within a couple-few days.