So Pups will be 5 weeks tomorrow. They have been having puppy food for the last 2 ish weeks. But are still feeding from mum. At what age should I be keeping her out of the pen? They are in a puppy pen in our front room. Should I be letting her sleep elsewhere now or should she still be with Pups. They won't be going to their new homes early but do they still need her with them especially overnight ?

Allow the bitch to decide, she should have access at all times, (except when they are eating) but be able to get away from pups as and when she wants.

I have found once the milk has dried up somewhat and pups start taking no for an answer regarding milkbar being open that the bitch becomes more involved again.  There is usually about a week when she is actively weaning them, that she appears to have lost interest.

We are very relaxed about this and have found over the years, that the milk is scattered better if leaving it for the bitch more or less to decide when rather than as some do, taking mums off the litters at a set time, abruptly.    I like to have mine off their litters by around 6 weeks which gives me some more weeks before they go to their new homes, to make sure each puppy is doing well on their diet and of course, to give them time to play with each other which for me, is so important.   It means they start to develop as well rounded individuals.   And having mum away means when they go home (usually at 10 weeks for our litters) they only miss their familiar surroundings and litter-mates, not mum.

Early days most of their nourishment will still be coming from mum, but by 5 - 6 weeks no, mum isn't in with them at night and definitely NOT when they are eating - she only went in after they'd finished, to clean up and allow 'comfort nursing' - standing up.   At that point, once she felt their sharp teeth, she'd want OUT - fast.

> . At what age should I be keeping her out of the pen?

In 40 plus years I have never kept a bitch out.  I've always allowed her to come and go as she wants.  When she reaches the stage that she starts to play with pups they can be taught some very important lessons.