Separating chickens into 2 coops

[CdnMaple]

We have 2 coops, one is empty, and one is housing 13 chickens ( they've been together since they were day olds). 8 of the chickens will be going to the processor in a month. Our goal is to have the remaining 5 chickens moved to the smaller, empty coop - What would be best - move the 5 chickens now, or wait until after the 8 have gone? I want to do what is the least stressful for the chickens. We want to move the 5 chickens to the smaller coop, hoping they'll keep warm in the -35 winter temps, rather than leaving them in the larger coop.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and help.

CdnMaple

 

[Chookchicken]

What I’d do is leave them in the coop with the 8 others. Both ways they’re going to have to loss their flock and get used to a new coop, might as well let them spend the next month with their flock mates.

 

[aart]

We have 2 coops, one is empty, and one is housing 13 chickens ( they've been together since they were day olds). 8 of the chickens will be going to the processor in a month. Our goal is to have the remaining 5 chickens moved to the smaller, empty coop - What would be best - move the 5 chickens now, or wait until after the 8 have gone? I want to do what is the least stressful for the chickens. We want to move the 5 chickens to the smaller coop, hoping they'll keep warm in the -35 winter temps, rather than leaving them in the larger coop.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and help.

CdnMaple

I'd move them now, let them acclimate before it gets any colder.
Tho a smaller coop is not necessarily going to be warmer.
Adequate ventilation make holding heat moot...and if the larger coop is taller, higher ventilation is better.