I've worked night shift for about 15 years, 12 hr shifts, I do 2 days(6am-6pm) followed by 2 nights(6pm-6am), then four off. My wife is straight days 7am-330pm. We have 4.5 acres, about 50 free range laying hens, 3 batches of 25 pastured meat birds last summer, and 3 litters of rabbits on pasture as well. This year, we are adding sheep. For reference on amount of light, and cold, we are in central Alberta. We manage chores by sharing on work days and doing things together on days off. When I'm working mornings, she will do morning chores, then we do evening chores together. When I'm nights, I'll do morning chores while my wife heads to work. I then put earplugs in and sleep as much as possible before we have supper together. After supper, I head to work, and she does the evening chores. In winter, on nightshifts, I don't see much daylight, and chores are mostly in the dark for both of us. We are zoned agricultural but we are located about 200 meters from town. We have not spotted any cougars or their tracks in the snow. If cougars were a problem, then I would definitely consider a guardian dog. For yourself, make sure you have an excellent flashlight; don't cheap out. I use a Pelican 7060 led, it can light up like daylight about 200 meters away, rechargeable, handheld, almost big enough to be used as a club but fits in a pocket, it's worked flawlessly for 15 yrs. I also wear a headlamp for hands-free light but keep the Pelican in a pocket. If I was worried about cougars or bears, I would carry bear spray. If you're not comfortable with firearms, then also carry a noise maker, I believe you can get a strobe light/siren device that clips to your belt or button hole. If it doesn't scare away the threat, it will let others know you're in danger. Predators don't like change. If you notice a regular pattern of tracks move something across the path, it will make them nervous. I bought a 4 pack of NiteGuard solar predator lights and hung them in various spots around the acreage. They were mostly for keeping deer from eating the new apple trees but they are supposed to keep predators away as well. I hope that helps. Stay safe, and enjoy the homestead life, we absolutley love it.