Do hens start acting strange days before actually laying an egg

[Lobzi]

Chickie will be 4 months old very soon and I am wondering if she is getting ready to lay an egg. She has been making some very strange cackling sounds and holding some very strange postures.
Do chickens have different behaviors as a preview to them actually starting to lay eggs?

 

[Gainesvillechickenlover]

Yes they do. Mine seem to go in and out of the hen house constantly. Hangout in the nest boxes then leave. They would do this over and over. They would also start cackling. They also will start squatting down when you get near them instead of running away. I have 5 hens four are laying.

 

[Lobzi]

That is so helpful, thank you. Chickie just stood and "ba-balked" at me as if to be arguing "NO" when I asked her to come outside with me. She never did that before and is normally very anxious to follow me anywhere I go. Lately she is becoming quite obstinate in the mornings!