I find the best way to get past a reluctant other half is not to ask them, because if they say no and you got them anyway that would be bad, I just got mine without asking and that was that, he's slowly warming to them I think, if not a little fed up with the fact that every conversation we have I can turn it around and make it about chickens
As for when you get them mmmm I haven't done a stitch of house work since I bought them home, the washing is piling up, the carpet is so hairy you could knit yourself a jumper with the amount of pet hair on them, I just can't pull myself away from watching their every move, they are more addictive than drugs and alot safer.