chickens make loud calls after rooster crow

[you-da-chick]

I have 8 barred rock hens (haven't laid yet) and I got the idea of crowing like a rooster and see how they respond. When I did, they would reply with loud calls then stop. Why do they do that, what does it mean?
Also another question, what is a good indication that they are ready to lay eggs? Will they still lay eggs even if its rains on some days? I live in California, and it rains on and off with warm days in between.

 

[sunflour]

1 - loud calls from your pullets can be a sign of distress.
2 - when they start to squat they are nearing egg laying.
3- they will lay rain or shine.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

When I go outside and make loud weird noises the chickens squawk, the dog growls, the cats run, the horse sticks her tail up in the air & blows out her nose, and my wife calls me an idiot.
But you want to know what the chickens mean...
When they say:
BuhGAWK- that scared me.
BuhBuhBuhBUHGAWK-I'm still scared.
Waaahwahwahwaaah-I'm happy to see you.
Bukbuggabuggabugga-there's the human.
Bukbuggabugga-there's the cat.
BuhWahWahWahWaaa (rooster)-I'm going to breed your fuzzy butt!
WOKWOKWOKKA (hen)-The rooster is trying to breed my fuzzy butt!
RAHHHHHHH!-Run for your lives, a large bird is in the sky.

 

[okiemamachick]

Chickenlegs13 you are cracking me up!