I do all free range with no coop. A loose web of kitchen string and monofilament fishing line has been working quite well as a hawk-deterrent in my urban yard. We have both Cooper's hawks and large redtails. The redtails are quite dangerous chicken predators, but won't fly under the string. I haven't lost a chicken since I put it up. Cooper's hawks are really agile and can navigate the web easily, but so far they haven't taken any of my chickens (not even the peeps), knock on wood. One flew right in between me and a friend: we were standing not 2 feet apart under a large patio overhang. It was so fast that my friend didn't even see it! I do have lots of dense plants that the chickens can hide under though, and they are getting quite good at spotting hawks (and taking appropriate cover). Sounds like dogs are more of a problem for you than hawks, though. btw, it is a illegal to kill raptors. Good luck!
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