Early weaned piglets lose an average of 6.9 ± 2.4 % of their body weight in the weaning process. They lose weight for an average of 2.4 ± 1.2 d and regain weaning weight at 3.7 ± 0.98 d. We know the growth check is a risk period. Stress, dehydration and poor feed consumption can contribute to increased incidence and severity of diarrhea. Water consumption by early-weaned piglets is important for early recovery. Up to the point of weaning, young piglets have gained most of their fluid and nourishment through nursing. After weaning they have to separate these two, consuming water and dry feed. Too little water consumption leads to dehydration. Earlier work has shown that piglets weaned into pens with water and feed show an increase in hematocrit indicative of a failure to maintain adequate water consumption. In fact transported piglets and piglets transported without water show similar increases in hematocrit. Adequate water consumption is also necessary for feed consumption. Diarrhea is often a problem at the time of weaning. Even a transient diarrhea can add to the risk of dehydration if piglets are not consuming adequate amounts of water. In this research project we asked the question: If an antibiotic were placed in the water would this reduce early water consumption due to a negative response to the taste. Forty-eight piglets were weaned at 17±1 day of age. Half of this group was placed in simulated transport for 24 hours. Immediately after arrival or following a 24 h transport, the piglets were randomly divided into groups of 4 and placed in weanling pens with feed and water. A medicated starter diet was supplied in a standard feeder. Water was supplied through standard water nipples and was gravity fed from containers that could be weighed to measure water consumption. These containers were filled with tap water or water containing an approved antibiotic at the dose on the label. Water treatments were applied for 3 days after entry into the pens. On the 4th day all pens received tap water only. Water consumption and spill were measured at 6 h, 12 h and 24 h during the first day and then daily to 4 days post weaning. Piglets were weighed daily to 7 days of age and again at 14 days. Early weaned piglets drank an average of 818 ml/day during the first 4 days after weaning. In the same period they spilled 1,353 ml/day/pig, although spill rates were highly variable from pen to pen. The taste of an antibiotic used in the water did not negatively affect water consumption of early-weaned piglets