Should I be concerned?

[Emmasmom]

Hi all,
I'm so excited about having eggs soon! I've noticed the girls checking out their nesting boxes (they are 21 weeks now). Today I noticed one sort of standing still and sort of squatting. She looked like she was trying to push and she was grooming her vent area but nothing came out, eventually she just went on her way and pretty much seemed normal. My question is, is this normal practice behavior or should I be worried that she is egg bound? Thanks for the help!

 

[silkymom1986]

I've seen my hens act this way before they started laying, I think it is pretty normal but it wouldn't hurt to check and make sure she's not egg bound, that's what I did. Good luck!

 

[Ilovemyduckies]

It's a good thing. When they squat like that, then they should be close to laying. it's called the "egg squat." My hen did that and she layed her first egg about 3 days after.