Soiunds like a good remedy for the 9 month Pacific Northwest cure. (Yeah, rain from the heavens is your friend.)

We have large problem of overpopulation and rain, so there are little places in the urban areas to grow things.  But the areas that are not flooded with development, have water problems of various types.

Sounds like this might be an idea for us up here.

I'm moving back to the Portland area in a few days, hopefully and finally, with room to grow some things.

Nice. I'm subscribed.

Yo.
Well, Kind of depends on how many chickens in what kind of an environment (i.e. neighbor proximity, yard size, nearest road, etc) But generally speaking, 5 or so HENS in an urban setting can work depending on neighbors. Even hens have a tendency to 'completely freak out for no reason whatsoever' on a regular basis. It's just what they do. It's pretty loud and usually lasts 5 minutes or so, but happens all the time.
Roosters in Urban setting usually= stewpot or police. (not nice to the neighbors)
They will start leaving the confines of the coop within 6 months from hatching, you can clip wings and select breeds that get too big to fly, but generally you must contain them while also giving them a good life. (see chicken tractors: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mofga.org/portals/2/mof%26g/djf%25200708/17%2520Unity%2520Chicken%2520Tractor.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mofga.org/Default.aspx%3Ftabid%3D845&h=309&w=270&sz=29&hl=en&start=4&usg=__R1D5qaUVHLcpZfAn5o7pu4bD33s=&tbnid=KOAH37x2z-JdqM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchicken%2Btractor%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
holy shit is that a long URL....
anyway- they will reduce a small fenced in area to dust in about a month, and they need  space to be happy.
As far as shit goes- they are the greatest producers of shit on the planet short of the mighty bat. But their shit is also hugely high in nitrogen and can be utilized in the garden with great results.
Smell is equivalent to space.
Chickens are great, low maintenance livestock, but it aint easy. Lots of work, and truthfully, the cost of raising them up and keeping them (depending on your location and winters) doesn't usually equal out to any great profit, you'll be lucky to break even. I keep them for eggs and emergency eating.

Honestly, I'd have to side with your wife on this one, keeping any livestock is a big deal, even chickens, and two hens without a flock of at least 5-10 in that kind of space probably aren't going to be very happy, and you'll need more than that to get any sort of egg production that's worth it, but most of all, the animals need enough space to live a good life, and the dimensions you are looking at really don't seem like they would provide that.
From a purely logical standpoint- it's going to be way more of a pain in the ass than it's worth to keep 2 hens.

P.s.-
= probably a meth head. Watch out for that MF.

Enki: I think some one else in the foums posted some Youtube videos of Sklar and his home made creations.

Don't seem to remember where I saw those videos or who posted them.

Excellent show, very funny as well as good information and excellent production quality. I like the emphasis on food storage. Keep up the good work, I look forward to future episodes!

Yeah, great show. ...and we need ALL wogs in the field when things go boom.

I like the way you subtly relate zombies with the sane in the time of an emergency.