does a hen normally stand up during the last part of egg laying?

[ladyearth]

I know it takes a while.... but couple times this week I opened the door and could see Big Sis stand up and grunta little and push a liitle and out came her egg....
course she sits there long time before finishing...then sttod up.....
I have several times peeked in but she was prevously just sitting.....
so is this normal???? seemms close to half an hour before they ome back out of the coop after entering....
they the two have been laying since late summer....

thanks yall

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes - this is very normal. A hen will lay in the nest box while preparing to lay, but for actual expulsion of the egg will rise and assume a rather squatted position with her vent tucked further and further towards the floor/bottom of the nest box and she strains to pass the egg.