Clear cover for chicken door?

Swiss

Crowing
5 Years
Jun 9, 2020
706
6,579
406
West Michigan, Lower Penninsula
I'm thinking about putting clear flap-type things (clear shower curtain, or something like those clear plastic door curtains that are in warehouses with cold rooms...) over the chicken door opening. They would allow the chickens to go in and out at will (until I close the door at night) and would serve 2 purposes: 1.) They would allow more light into the coop as the sun goes down.
2.) They would protect the bedding from rain when the door is open.

My questions: Has anyone tried this before? If so, do the chickens get used to it pretty quickly, or do they avoid using the door? Was it actually as useful as I am hoping it would be?
 
I do something similar but with a chain door curtain (designed to stop flies etc coming into a kitchen when the door's open) cut to fit. It works very well. (Also deters foxes I'm told, and since no fox has tried to enter one of my coops with one, my experience is at least consistent with that idea. That might not apply to a clear plastic one thou; the point is, with a chain or coloured plastic one it's difficult to see in from the outside, and foxes are naturally cautious, so won't chance poking their noses through to have a proper look inside.)

Looks like this
DSC01316.JPG

when you first install it the birds may take a while to pluck up the courage to push through, though once the bravest one has done it and the rest see they survived, they'll follow in due course.

Obviously it's better to start with them inside the coop and having to go through the curtain to go out, than be trying to shepherd them through it for the first time when they are ready to roost.
 
My questions: Has anyone tried this before?
Some folks use the plastic strip doors made for pets.

If so, do the chickens get used to it pretty quickly, or do they avoid using the door? Was it actually as useful as I am hoping it would be?
IIRC start by attaching the outermost strips, then waiting a few days between adding the next 2 strips next to the first, rinse and repeat/observe and adjust.

Used mostly to keep wild birds and flies out of a coop,
not sure it would keep all the rain out-better to use an awning over the door for that.
 

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