Normal noises before laying?

[MichaelSellers]

This is my first flock of chickens (if you can call 3 hens a flock). My 20-week American Dominique laid her first egg a few days ago, and one every day since. My question: she makes a lot of noise for about an hour before laying. Sounds like she's calling for another chicken, if that makes sense. Then she paces and runs around for about 30 minutes. Ultimately she walks into the coop, into the nesting box, and deposits the egg, then comes out and she's back to foraging for bugs. Is this normal behavior? Thanks.

 

[urbanchicklove]

It's normal. Since she's a new layer, she's probably surprised by the new feeling in her body. My girls actually will chuckle for a while AFTER laying. I think it's a way to say to the other girls, "Hey, Hey, Look at me. Look how great I am I laid an egg!"

 

[Mackie n chicks]

One of my cockerel's 'cock a doodle doo's' three times every time one his 'special' girls lay as if broadcasting it to the nation - my girls have done it again - he's seems very proud!