Hi, stopped by your diary. Very cute idea. I’m sorry for your losses. We had a lot of predators the last couple of years that we were in NH. We chose to pen the chickens where we are now. There are some easy options for chicken tractor pens that allow you to move them around every day to get the experience of getting to eat plants and bugs in different areas. Or if your predators are land based you can look into electric Poultry fence with a solar powered energizer to keep dogs and any other terrestrial predators out.
Also, how much land do you have? do you have any other chicken owners in your area? it may seem unlikely but they may have gone to visit someone and they thought they were escapees who were lost and kept them. also if you have a bush property there may still be a couple living wild. if you don't find them get more because 2 is not a good number. what if something get's I more and then 1 is left with no friends. so get more chickens!
