Most of mine lay in the nice nest boxes I made for them, but one insists on laying in a big flower pot in which I have a cactus growing. Her feathers must provide more protection for her than the hair on my arms provide for me!
My gold sexlinks started laying at about18 weeks after hatching the Buff Orpingtons are just starting to lay at 19 weeks (out of 7 birds I 'm getting 4 small eggs per day) After a week or so the size & quantity will be better. What are you feeding yours? If they don't get enough protein they...