Alpha hen may need to become dinner.

[Carly Avgeris]

Since I am not able to create more square footage, do you think adding additional roosts will help?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Additional roosts won't hurt

Also, if you haven't done so, put some perches (roosts) outside, or things they can get up on away from each other. I gave you a link which I think is fun, but it of course doesn't have to be just like that. I cut Poplar saplings and use for perches outside, but any type of branch, log, etc, can be used. Mine use their perches after dust bathing to preen, when they are watching the door or windows to see if anyone is coming (with treats?)

, it give them things to climb on and hopefully breaks up some of the boredom.

You could also try 2 feeding and water stations, it may help eliminate some food aggression if that is present. Also have a couple of places where you can hang goodies like a bunch of kale, collards, cabbage, etc. This way they are working on pecking at the swinging veggies (hopefully) instead of one another. I hang apples, cucumbers, squash also when I have them, for a flock your size I would try atleast 2 treat areas if you can. Just suggestions, hope it helps.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/577982/what-to-put-in-run-for-chickens-to-perch-or-play-on/10

 

[shortgrass]

Thank you for the info. They have not stared molting yet that I am aware of. I just sent my husband out to measure and it is actually 38 sq feet, which is still not enough it sounds like. I will try the higher protein feed and see of we can add more roosts too.
We never Intended to have this many. Originally there were only 6 and I wanted four more after one died. I was supposed to give half of my order to another chicken lady but then she couldn't take them. So here I am with over crowding.
Darn! I'll have to get to work today!

Lol it happens; I only had 10 to begin with, but it just wasn't enough for me ha-ha...probably why I had to get 2 more coops, as they were doing exactly what you describe

Additional roosts won't hurt
Also, if you haven't done so, put some perches (roosts) outside, or things they can get up on away from each other. I gave you a link which I think is fun, but it of course doesn't have to be just like that. I cut Poplar saplings and use for perches outside, but any type of branch, log, etc, can be used. Mine use their perches after dust bathing to preen, when they are watching the door or windows to see if anyone is coming (with treats?) ,  it give them things to climb on and hopefully breaks up some of the boredom. 

You could also try 2 feeding and water stations, it may help eliminate some food aggression if that is present. Also have a couple of places where you can hang goodies like a bunch of kale, collards, cabbage, etc. This way they are working on pecking at the swinging veggies (hopefully) instead of one another. I hang apples, cucumbers, squash also when I have them, for a flock your size I would try atleast 2 treat areas if you can. Just suggestions, hope it helps.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/577982/what-to-put-in-run-for-chickens-to-perch-or-play-on/10

I agree completely about more roosting space in the coop, and separate feed areas; maybe even a couple of objects to climb on, ie a bale of hay, etc. It should help immensely. I have 3 feed pans in each area, and it really helps reduce the feeding frenzy where someone will most likely get pecked away from the feed and end up hungry.

I use large rubber dog food pans; they're wide and shallow so about 8 hens can fit around them without having that, "mom, Sally is touching me" issue

Boredom, that's why scratch is used, to alleviate boredom. Snack cages, heads of cabbage, frozen pumpkins, oranges... Those are just a few of many objects I've tossed into the run for entertaining. I get entertainment from it too, especially a big chunk of ham that they play tag with for hours.