hens acting different when laying

[smarsh2]

my hens had quit laying at molt last fall and took a good while to get going again (cold winter). when they weren't laying they acted quit shy, but now that they are going again they are very friendly and tame. and my little wyandotte/brown leghorn hen squats for me thinking i am the rooster and come to do my business. i could touch her when she wasn't laying, now i just pick her up anytime i want.

 

[gritsar]

Yep, that sounds pretty typical to me. Keep in mind, the hens are usually more friendly towards their rooster (either a real roo or you, if they consider you to be their roo) when they want to be mated. If they aren't laying, they have very little interest in being mated.

In other words, they're being coy.