Behavior Changes When Pullets Start Laying: What to Expect

Introduction

When pullets reach point of lay, their behavior often changes before the first egg appears. Many become more interested in nest boxes, spend extra time pacing or inspecting quiet corners, squat when approached, and get louder or more restless for short periods. These shifts are usually tied to normal reproductive hormones and nesting behavior, not bad temperament.

You may also notice brief social friction in the flock. As hens compete for favored nest spots and adjust their pecking order, some birds seem more territorial, head-pecky, or protective of a box. Mild jostling can be normal, but repeated bullying, injuries, or vent pecking are not and deserve prompt attention from your vet.

Nutrition and setup matter during this transition. Merck notes that growing birds in the prelay period typically need much less calcium than active layers, while laying hens need substantially more calcium to support shell formation. A sudden drop in energy, weakness, straining, sitting fluffed up, trouble walking, or a swollen abdomen is not a normal "first egg" behavior change and can point to problems such as egg binding, calcium imbalance, or reproductive disease.

For most backyard flocks, the goal is not to stop these new behaviors but to support them safely. Quiet, clean nest boxes, enough space, a balanced layer ration when your flock is truly entering lay, and close observation can help pullets settle into a normal routine. If your chicken seems painful, stops eating, breathes open-mouthed, or strains without producing an egg, see your vet immediately.

Normal behavior changes before the first egg

A pullet nearing her first egg often starts acting more purposeful and nest-focused. Common normal changes include exploring nest boxes, sitting in a box without laying, vocalizing more, pacing before laying, and doing the classic squat when a person reaches toward her. Merck describes nesting as a hormone-driven sequence of behaviors that helps the hen secure a place to lay.

Some pullets also become temporarily more private. A friendly bird may spend less time foraging with the flock and more time in quiet areas of the coop. Others seem fidgety or unsettled for a few days, especially in the morning when many hens prefer to lay.

Flock dynamics can shift, too

As more birds begin laying, competition around favorite nest boxes can increase. Merck notes that aggression is part of normal social hierarchy formation and often settles within 24 to 48 hours if it stays mild. Short chases, pecks, and box disputes can happen as birds sort out access and rank.

What is not normal is persistent injury, blood, feather loss around the vent, or birds repeatedly targeting a hen right after she lays. Vent pecking and cannibalism are recognized poultry behavior problems and can escalate quickly, so injured birds should be separated and seen by your vet.

Physical changes that can look like behavior problems

Sometimes a pullet seems "moody" when she is actually uncomfortable. A bird that keeps going in and out of the nest, stands penguin-like, strains, sits low, or avoids perching may be having trouble laying rather than acting stubborn. VCA notes that egg-bound birds are often weak, sit low, strain, and may have abdominal swelling.

Merck also warns that calcium problems can show up around onset of lay. Hens with inadequate calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D3 support may develop weak shells, poor mobility, paralysis, or sudden decline while shelling an egg. That is why a balanced ration and timely transition to an appropriate laying diet matter.

How to support pullets during the transition

Keep nest boxes clean, dry, and in a quieter part of the coop. Merck recommends nest boxes sized so one seated hen fits comfortably, and PetMD notes that boxes work best in low-traffic areas. Good footing, easy access to feed and water, and enough perch space can also reduce stress.

Feed changes should match life stage. Merck lists prelay diets as much lower in calcium than laying diets, while active layers need about 3.5% to 6% calcium because each egg requires a large calcium investment. If your flock is mixed-age, ask your vet or a poultry-savvy nutrition professional how to balance feed safely.

When behavior changes are a reason to call your vet

Call your vet promptly if a pullet is straining for more than a short period, stops eating, breathes with an open mouth, cannot stand well, has a swollen abdomen, produces soft-shelled or shell-less eggs repeatedly, or seems depressed and fluffed up. Those signs can overlap with egg binding, egg yolk peritonitis, calcium imbalance, or other reproductive disease.

See your vet immediately if your chicken is weak, down, paralyzed, bleeding from the vent, or being attacked by flockmates. A behavior change that comes with pain, collapse, or breathing trouble is not a normal part of starting to lay.

Questions to Ask Your Vet

Bring these questions to your vet appointment to get the most out of your visit.

  1. You can ask your vet whether my pullet’s nesting, squatting, and vocalizing look normal for point of lay or suggest a medical problem.
  2. You can ask your vet when to switch from grower or prelay feed to a layer ration for my flock’s age and setup.
  3. You can ask your vet how much calcium support is appropriate and whether free-choice oyster shell makes sense for my birds.
  4. You can ask your vet which signs mean normal pre-lay restlessness versus urgent concerns like egg binding or egg yolk peritonitis.
  5. You can ask your vet what to do if one hen guards the nest box or pecks other pullets when they try to lay.
  6. You can ask your vet how many nest boxes, perches, and square feet my flock should have to reduce stress and aggression.
  7. You can ask your vet whether repeated soft-shelled eggs, weakness, or trouble walking could point to a calcium or vitamin D problem.
  8. You can ask your vet when a chicken with vent swelling, straining, or a sudden drop in appetite should be seen the same day.
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