Okay, I've seen it all now. My hens, bless their little hearts, are really funny. When one is getting ready to lay an egg, four or five of them gather around the nest box. One or more will actually lie down next to the egg layer. The others will press up against the egg layer and put nesting materials around her.
Have you seen this? Is this common? It's very cute.

Have you seen this? Is this common? It's very cute.