Is Shelley the one being noisy, mine do that when they are getting broody.
I think my 6 hens love to confuse us, some days they all get noisy & sing the egg song even if they are not laying.
Glad you joined us.
RE: negotiation with a chicken… First time we let ours out, one ran around the coop/run, we found out quickly that you cannot catch a chicken. I'm sure she was laughing at my DH running behind her. She came back in when she was good and ready.