Some Friendly Advice

[Bond77]

I have had my chickens now for three months (george and pepper )
they have over the last week started sitting down on the ground for short periods of time, this is the first time i have seen this....
is it normal? or what can i do to help....
They are due to start laying soon they approx 16 weeks old i think, can this be the reason ????

[Squirrel]

Are they sitting down in a sunny spot? Chickens do doze in the sun and are not on the go the whole time. If they are sitting in a dip in the ground or a nest like depression they may be thinking about laying but I would not have they would be laying for another 3 or 4 weeks yet.

[Bond77]

it tends to be shaded area in a dip near the ark entrance
could be that they are hot but they normal go into their ark

[yoanbob]

They could also be making a dust bath, my chooks like to make dust baths everywhere and will somtimes go for a snooze there too, what is the ground like? do they have an adequate nesting box indoors? when they are very hot they lay in a funny position with one wing out to cool down, they will rest and snooze throughout the day anyway, somtimes like to snuggle together and snooze on the ground.
I wouldnt be alarmed they dont normally lay till 20-21 weeks although there are exceptions, also there laying may be very erratic to start with, espeically this time of year but if you have a nest box already in place it will encourage them, also pot eggs are a good idea if you dont have older chooks to lead the way.
it takes chooks a good few weeks to settle into there new home, it could be they were still a little nervous around you which may explain why your only seeing it now.
good luck!