Hens protecting each other or what?

[SoCal Chick]

I have one each of Barred Rock and Cookoo Maran hens. Funny thing, when one is laying an egg the other stands in the run and makes a loud cackling until the other is done laying her egg. At first I thought it was the "egg song" and the layer was in extreme pain, but I happened to be there when it started and found the "cackler" at the gate to their run. I think it is a protective behavior, but if I open the gate the "cackler" will run out of the pen. I tried to attach a recording, but couldn't. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this behavior.

 

[sourland]

It's the 'cheer leader' celebration behavior.

 

[SoCal Chick]

I've never heard of that behavior . As long as it isn't agressive.

You learn something everyday!

Thank you and Happy Holidays

 

[cafarmgirl]

I have a hen who will do this when another hen is on the favorite nest wanting to lay and she wants the nest. This particular hen will watch and wait only so long before loosing patience and then suddenly burst into the I-laid-an-egg song before the hen on the nest has even accomplished the deed or made a sound herself. Always seems to me like she is doing the only thing she knows how to make the situation hurry along so she can have the nest!