could anyone tell me at how many weeks should a puppy be weaned onto solids. and what best to start them on.

I start weaning mine at 3 weeks, starting with a teaspoon of scraped (not minced) beef the first two days, a teaspoon twice a day for a couple of days up to a teaspoon five times a day by four weeks, then gradually introducing other things (minced fish, soaked mashed puppy food etc) and increasing the quantities as time goes on

I start about 3 weeks too but a lot will depend on the breed, size of litter, the condition that the mother has managed to maintain etc.  You could join and tell us these details but Admin would prefer you not to mention breed, perhaps you could say toy, small.......giant etc. alternatively you could consult your bitches breeder or the stud dog owner.

I usually start mine early around 2 1/2 weeks mainly because I have quite large litters and I usually have raw mince with raw egg mixed in or some prefer rice pudding or scramled eggs.  Years ago when I had westie litters we used leave them feeding slightly longer but it just depends on how drained mum looks.  A vet told the person who used my stud dog not to wean until 5 weeks which I think was way too late.