Thanks to all that have shared over the past. My 10 chicks just started laying about 3 weeks ago. When they began laying, they became much more more brave about ranging out in the open and have been roaming our 3 acres like never before. Up to the point of laying, they stayed within 25 yards of the coop and always under the trees. I witnessed the first hawk attack yesterday. One of the hens had wandered off down near the wooded creek area and a broad-shouldered hawk hit her twice as she skedaddled for the coop with me hollern' and shouting the whole time. All the others ran for the shrubs around the house. Fortunately, she just lost a good size clump of feathers. I'd seen another hawk doing reconnaissance a couple of months back and had strung two lines with some streamers from our 2nd story deck to near the coop about 10-20ft off the ground. Think I will add a couple of more today to other points at the edge of the woods to increase the coverage and maybe add an owl decoy. I haven't given up on free-ranging yet, but I guess my next step would be to build a penned chicken run.

Made me and my husband laugh too. It is the best animal story since my sister told me about her money grubbing cat who keeps her horde of coins on the foot of their bed . She Won't let the male cat close to her money and gets pissed when my sister and hubby do "the deed" and the coins get tossed around.

Hi there. I know you have come here for help and ideas. To be very honest cats will be cats and the only way to protect these babies (and all the others ones nesting that you dont see)is to keep the cats in the house. I know you are trying to help the strays too, please try to find them a no kill shelter or an organization that will spay/neuter and adopt them out. If you don't your neighborhood will be over run with cats. It's not the cats fault, just very bad cat owners that let them roam free. I love cats but I also love the birds, I have 4 cats, all rescued strays..and they do NOT go outside. Cats are not welcome on my property. Be aware this is a very hot topic, we understand you are trying to help but what I have said is the only sure way to protect wildlife of all kinds. Thanks for your concern.

Pretty sure you can shoot it with a permit in some states, not sure. Either way I think the easiest solution is owning roosters. I live near a lake with a lot of birds of prey and my roosters have killed many hawks trying to get their girls. I have issues with the large owls personally, they have even broke into my coops and kill for fun. I absolutely hate birds of prey and wish my roosters could slay the owls too. I'm not down to go to jail over birds but I have told my neighbors who also hate them I know nothing if some of them go missing around here lol. Plenty of shotguns in our neighborhood going off when we see them flying around, the wild quail population has skyrocketed this year! Also, if ones attacking your pets or livestock you have the right to protect them within reason. I killed a hawk with a golfball sized rock once that was attacking my cat, killer aim to the head! No regrets, heft vet bill and my cat lost its ear.