Impressive piece of kit! I am trying to decide whether to have an automated door for the Chicken Palace. My initial thought is not to go automated particularly because the whole point of the 'palace' is that it has (will have) a predator secure run. I am thinking of making their door slide sideways rather than up and down and close it manually - probably only in really extreme cold. Welcome any suggestions!
Unlike most on here my biggest issues are extreme heat, not cold. My coop has an attached run with a run extension. The coop is completely open to the east allowing the girls to self regulate their rising & roosting. I do check on everyone each evening & the coop is secure ~ it just has no door. I have a curtain I can drop if the wind gets up too much but in summer it's rarely used.