How can I tell when a hen is laying or not?

[Taryns mawmaw]

I would like to know if anyone else has this problem. I work a full time job while my girls are at home free ranging. We rescued these hens from a production house so our eggs haven't been as much as I had hoped with having 32 hens. The most eggs I have gotten in one day was 20 (once). We are thinking about getting rid of some of them that are no longer laying and was wondering if there is a way we can do this without sitting in the coop and watching.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might try reading this. It sounds like exactly what you need. Looking for the moist vent may be the easiest way, but it may be that some of yours are molting. Any way, enjoy the article.

Pigmentation to Evaluate Laying
http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Factsheets/Evaluating_egg_laying_hens.pdf