They may not come running to greet you when you come home from work, or curl up on your lap while you're reading - bathed in filtered sun. But one thing they have over other pets is that they feed you. They'll also happily eat your vegie scraps.
Chickens are lovely to have around.
If you're not sure, you can rent a few chickens (they come with a coop and all) for a week or two - see how it goes. Note though, that they'll likely be Bantams (which aren't classified as layers). For that, you'll need Isa Browns or Leghorns (although the latter have a reputation for being uppety).