Sadly chickens are attracted to shiny things, nails, staples, screw, jewelry etc. that sometimes do them in. That's an accident, I don't see why that would anger your wife. Maybe if you had baby chicks she would come around to liking them. Usually the reluctance spouse, tends to fall in love with them.
Chickens are flock animals and do much better with some buddies. Lone chickens, tend to bond with humans, and often make great house pets - I'm sure your wife would be aghast at that suggestion. However, there is a quite a movement for house pet poultry ie "people with house chickens," thread and "Show us your house ducks," etc.
They are often people friendly like dogs.
