We Survived the 1st Year - Barely

I live out in the sticks now, with mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, owls, hawks, vultures, and according to the locals, Big Foot. I am in Texas, born and raised, but not ever before this far out in the country. It's nice though. A friend from the city had to rehome a wrongly sexed rooster and his hen friend, and living in the country, I could take the rooster. Then another friend gave me 7 chickens and a dozen guineas, just for fun. Predation has been my biggest enemy. So I got a puppy to protect the chickens. She was good the girls, but I have two children. So I had to get a second puppy. I thought the older pup would teach the younger pup. Four chickens and three guineas later... Well the good news is the second pup learned not harm the chicken or the guineas. Both dogs defend the chickens very well. And then, the nighttime air raids began. Owls. The 1 hen left, the rehoming gift from my friend, roosts in a coop, but the guineas were getting slaughtered every night. The dogs couldn't help. I am down to only four guineas left. Now I've built a chicken run, and I'm about to cover it with netting. Can you believe this all started with ONE chicken? Her name is Miss Hen, a pretty little rust and black Wyandotte. I've been following for a year and decided to join. I am about to buy several chicks to rebuild my flock. Wish me luck! I look forward to reading more.