Does anyone have any thoughts or advice regards breeders introducing a litter of pups to a crate. 

I have a litter of 4 , one of which I'm keeping myself. 3 of the 4 are definitely going to be crate trained and possibly the 4th also.

Is it worth me introducing them all the the crate? If so should this be done as a group and then reduced in numbers until they each go in alone or just in alone from the start?

I had originally intended not to bother and save getting the crate out for the pup I'm keeping so she had something new and different to learn and explore when he littermates leave.

A friend of mine feeds her puppies in a row of crates from 5 weeks on, one pup per crate, that way she knows exactly how much each pup is eating, and they are also starting to associate crates with good things. She also gives them treats and raw bones in their crates, and they often fall asleep in there.

I never did, but somebody in my main breed used a crate with an ex pen, so mum and puppies went into it, door open, as their bed.  I didn't like this as there was, obviously, no pig rail and it was possible for mum to squash puppies at the back of the crate.   Plus it wasn't easy to get into the crate in an emergency!!  I think it may be better to leave the use of a crate for the one, or two, kept and so not until all the others had left for their new home.

Each to what works for them however!

I laughed when I thought about using individual crates for my occasional big litters - I'd not have room!!

Puppy culture programme does advocate early introduction to support transition into new homes given that the use of a crate is so widely recommended now :)

Yes, we introduce our puppies to crates. We start by putting a couple of crates without doors in the puppy pen with bedding in, for them to explore.

Then we put pups in crates around us, whilst we sit on the floor and we feed them food through the crate bars - keep it brief and let them out before they start fussing. We do that a few times, extending the time to 5mins or so.

They are also crated in pairs in the car for the few puppy trips we take with them.