Pullets always watch one of my mature hens lay

[abby_robinson]

Has anyone experienced this behavior? Ever since they got comfortable with my older hens, they will always follow one particular hen into the coop to accompany her while she lays. What’s funny is she’s the top hen, and also the meanest. Seems harmless enough and I laugh when I catch it. I’m willing to bet she dislikes performing for a crowd

 

[Meg22]

When my girls started to lay in the spring egg laying seemed to be a spectator sport. There would be 1 in the nest box, 1 on the ledge outside and 2 on the roost watching. All pullets but 2 had started laying in September the taken a winter break.

 

[rural mouse]

She's teaching the younger generation the Way of the Chicken. Usually roosters escort hens to "safe" places to lay (and find them and escort back to the rest of the flock). Older generations teach younger ones where the good food is, what to watch for predator wise, where good places to lay eggs are, and thump them for being teenage idiots (usually the young cockerels for failing to court the ladies first).

 

[abby_robinson]

When my girls started to lay in the spring egg laying seemed to be a spectator sport. There would be 1 in the nest box, 1 on the ledge outside and 2 on the roost watching. All pullets but 2 had started laying in September the taken a winter break.

That’s adorable! Hahah

 

[Krux5506]

I've seen my laying flock do similar things. Just last weekend I knew one was in the nesting box closest to the coop door, which is a favorite box for the flock. She was in there for a while and one of the others was just patiently waiting her turn, staring at her for what seemed like half an hour. I'm glad I have 6 nest boxes in my coop so they can all just patiently wait for eachother to use the same one.

 

[Tonyroo]

That's actually the best way for new layers to learn where to lay. So your top hen is involuntarily teaching them.