You won't need anything nearly 8' high unless you have flying foxes in your area. As far as hawks are concerned, our free range chickens got a little panicky when a goshawk showed up (they are HUGE), but since we have primarily large heavy breeds, he (she?) did not attack. I wouldn't worry about hawks. Owls are a different matter, but if you have a 4' to 6' fence, clip one wing (never 2) of your chickens to keep them from flying out, and BRING THEM IN each night, I don't believe you'll have a problem. Foxes aren't good fence busters, but they are good stalkers of free range birds. Raccoons can get in ANYWHERE, so a good door on the coop is essential. Raccoons are nocturnal - one spotted in the day is a candidate for rabies - be careful. Foxes hunt 24 hours per day, but the fence will deter them. Skunks are beneficial - I would never knowingly hurt one. They are nocturnal as well, and death on rats and mice. I have never had them take chickens or even eggs. Dogs - what can I say? Usually not a problem, but I did have to shoot one many years ago. If you fence, should be no problem. If you free range, just keep an eye out unless your neighbors have pooches that are already looking like trouble. Good Luck!(posted 9670 days ago)Brad