To;Animals come first,
If a hawk is getting your hens get a rooster. He will figh to the death protecting 'his' hens.
My 2yr.old Leghorn, 'Cocky,' can flatten a Northern Harrier in 10 seconds........ I wittnessed it two times.
It looks like Nellie is molting, I bet that's why she is taking a break From the pictures you took in the sun. I can see nice new feathers on her neck.
I have one that is naked in parts of her, and she is still laying! No extra lights or anything =O
Mine don't have a heatlamp and they are laying like pros! But mine are younger than yours. Do you know their ages? Your newer girl looks a lot younger than Gloria and Penny!
Oh and my buff orpington started to lay last Friday! Two new layers in ONE WEEK! WOO My babies are growing up =')