Production characteristics of pig holdings under peri-urban setting of Zaria, Northern Nigeria

A study of the production systems existing in pig holdings was carried out by means of structured questionnaires designed to collect data an socio-eco nomic and management factors affecting pig production in peri-urban Samaru and Basawa villages in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. The study revealed that pig farmers in the study area are mainly Christians with 2-24 years experience in swine rearing and 78.33% of the respondents were pace-time pig farmers, 10% housewives and I 1.67% full-time farmers. Management system was semi-i ntensive and kitchen wastes, vegetables and agro-industrial by-products wer e used to supplement scavenging. About 6.67% of respondents sell dressed pi g products, while 93.33% sell live pigs. Several constraints like high cast and availability of feeds, lack of title to land, poor foundation stock, p oor record keeping, attack and poisoning of pigs by religious fanatics were identified.