In order to attain a hatching rate of 1000 young alligators each year, it is estimated that 70 females and 25 males will be required in the breeding herd. Current figures from present day farms allow some assumptions to seem likely. These alligators should reach a length of 5 to seven feet within a time frame of 36 to 42 months. This relates to nine hundred marketable alligators each year after the third year of operation. Animals in the breeding herd will consume approximately 400 pounds of meat per animal per year.
Alligators are cold blooded reptiles which become dormant or inactive in cold weather.
Alligator farming as a commercial enterprise is most suited for the Southern and Southeastern areas of the United States. However, it is feasible that some areas in other States with the correct facilities may be adapted to a farming enterprise. There are two different approaches to alligator farming. The first method is to have a completely integrated operation which maintains its own breeding stock, hatching facility, nursery facility and a growout house. Following laying, the eggs are collected, artificially incubated and the hatchling alligators are then raised in the growout house to a marketable size which is between 5 and seven feet.