And then there were TWO....

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I'm so sorry for your losses, it is a terrible event. Your two guineas will be fine, as long as they are protected and both live.
It's difficult to get checks right now, but do place another order early if you plan on Cackle again for spring. We use them here, and specific breeds do sometimes sell out early, even in 'normal' years.
Electric fencing is an excellent idea! @Howard E and @cmom have good pictures and comments, and Premier1supplies has excellent advice and products for this.
Did your neighbor pay for the lost birds? They do owe for damages!!!
Mary

 

[cmom]

So sorry for your loss. I am rural also. I have electric wires around my coops and pens, concrete under the gates and heavy duty netting covering all of my pens, all due to losses from predators in the past. If you free range, you will loose some birds sooner or later. Eventually they will be discovered. Good luck...

 

[rosemarythyme]

I really do intend to add more next year. I just think I want to take a beat this year and not rush into anything.

So sorry for your losses, and having to come home to such a disaster. I think this would be the best course of action, it sounds like you already have a lot on your plate (work, school, house, money!) and adding more animals to a busy schedule isn't really going to be enjoyable nor will you have time to spend dealing with getting new birds settled in or any other issues that might arise.

 

[Duckee]

I live about 10 miles north of the confluence of the Ohio & Mississippi rivers in Illinois.
(If I just say Illinois, people get the wrong impression!) Absolutely rural in the best way imaginable!
I'm halfway between two towns of 500 people, 20 minutes from the nearest Wal-Mart, an hour from Cape Girardeau or Sikeston, MO...or Carbondale or Marion, IL... or Paducah, KY and 2.5 hours from St Louis or Memphis or Nashville or Evansville. Close to absolutely nothing, but not too far from anything you might want.

Welcome to BYC neighbor...i mean Illinois neighbor! We share the same stomping grounds! Im so sorry about your loss. I bought 4 very expensive starter pullets, just to lose them 2 weeks later to 2 feral cats! We busted them in the act!!!

 

[aart]

I really do intend to add more next year. I just think I want to take a beat this year and not rush into anything.

Might be wise. Shocker to get over for sure.

confluence of the Ohio & Mississippi rivers

So VerySouthernMost Illinois.