I now have a good idea of what is in my immediate area: skunk, raccoon, opossum, red shouldered hawks. On the peripher, there are red tailed hawks, kites, and Falcons. On the grasslands, I've seen coyotes. But so far, a covered run and a coop wrapped in hardware cloth has served me well.
My little flock stays in the run during the hours the hawk activity is at its peak. I let them out in the later hours of the day when I've noticed there is little predator activity. My neighbors who have chickens say the biggest problems here are dogs and homeless people. My yard is safe from both, unless our homeless shelter started passing out blowtorches or chainsaws.
