Difficult Decision after Predator Attack

[Rosemarycrows]

Over the past few weeks my mom and I have dealt with two different predators (a fox and a raccoon) breaking into our small barn and killing a total of 3 of our 5 chickens, who we’ve had for over a year now. A few weeks ago the fox killed 2 (it managed to dig and squeeze under the barn door, which we have since figured out a way to block), and this morning we woke up to find a raccoon had killed another and brought the body up to the attic. We were able to stop the fox from getting back in, and now because of the footprints we can tell the raccoon has been able to enter through the ventilation slats into the attic, then come downstairs to the coop.

All this said, we do know how it entered and how we may be able to stop it (for now we have set up a temporary coop in a spare shed to put the remaining girls in at night), but we’re not sure it’s healthy for us to keep this flock of 2, as we know chickens generally prefer to have flocks of at least three. We weren’t planning to keep expanding our flock (we’ve loved having them and this has been such a wonderful journey despite the recent rough parts, but my mom is trying to run a small business now and I can’t be as much help to her once I’m back to college after the summer), but of course we also weren’t expecting so many of our chickens’ lives to be cut so short.

So, since they are still fairly young and laying would it be best for us to try and find them a new home (likely with someone who has more chickens), or should we just stick it out with the two?

 

[SourRoses]

As yucky as it sounds, an enclosure has to undergo "field testing" before anyone can say it's secure.
That can mean losses before you get all the kinks worked out, and sometimes you just don't know until the worst happens.
So please don't feel like you did anything particularly wrong. Everyone misses something the first year or two. It's hard to anticipate all the variables without experience.
That said, there's nothing wrong with taking a break for any reason.
One time, my mom was in the hospital, so we sold off the flock to lighten the load, then as soon as she felt a little better she wanted chickens again.
Another time, we lost our very favorite hen to mysterious causes (unmarked) and we were so disheartened we gave up on that breed project (Silkied Ameraucana) and sold off the flock to transition to a different breed.
So, my point is, poop happens but it doesn't make you any less of a chicken person. This may be a season where you find the need to take a break from chickens. That's okay and I'm sure you'll be back at it when circumstances change.

 

[mowin]

Only you can decide what to do. I'm sure you could easily find someone to take the remaining two.

 

[McChooky]

They're free to list with pictures under "animals in need of re-homing"in the Buy & Sell section. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182

 

[Acre4Me]

Two chickens are fine together. Having only one is the big issue.

If she wants to keep these two, they will be fine together.

If she wants to focus on new business then restart next spring, that’s also a fine decision. Gives you time to gather supplies, come up with a plan and fix the predator issues.