In this experiment the effect of drinker type on water and food intake, growth rates, and belly nosing
were examined in newly weaned piglets. It was found that piglets with nipple drinkers wasted more water than other piglets, whereas piglets with float bowls consumed less water than the other piglets. Drinker type also affected feeding behaviour; piglets with push level bowls spent less time at the feeder than other piglets, although no difference was detected for feed intake or average daily gain. Also piglets appear to use more water during the first two days after weaning, although they do not appear to attain satiety through water consumption because most of the water used during this time is wasted. This excessive drinking and water wastage can be abated through the use of push-lever drinkers without negative implications for feed intake or growth rates.