Chickens?

 

  I heard (Or Read) somewhere a while ago that chickens are predatory birds.  I'm thinking C'mon really?  Never would have thought that!  Until that day I learned otherwise.  It might have been a on Discovery channel?  Anyway it showed a hen in a coop (Maybe nesting box) and through IR camera a field mouse or small rat made the mistake of entering the hens house!  The hen attacked it feverishly pecking at it ferociously until it was hen chow!  I was a little taken back after watching the horror show unfold, (More surprised that anything) wasn't expecting what I saw. Thought it was way cool afterword's!
 

I've had both chickens and ducks.  Chickens are noisier, but not by a lot.  Ducks are messier, but not by a lot unless there's water.  Neither are conducive to long trips away from home.

Good luck