Gator farms - how do you feel about them?

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010...rmer.cnnmoney/

When I first watched this I was upset then I took a moment to think about it and realized I was being hypocritical. I eat most commercial meats (chicken, pork, steak...) and most of those animals are raised in conditions that are far worse than these.

I don't want to start any fights, I'm just curious how other people feel. Is raising gators/crocs for meet and hides any different than raising chickens/cows/pigs for the same thing?

for most who would keep gators and crocks those pens are overcrowded to say the least. But that is a commercial farm and in that context doesn't look any worse than a chicken or hog farm to me. in fact I would say that based on the apparent health of those animals they are receiving adequate care, especially when you consider that the long term health of most of those gators is not a concern because most will go to market in the first few years of life. and let’s not forget without commercial farming many species of crocodilian including the American alligator and Australian estuarine crocodile would more than likely be extinct by now.

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

for most who would keep gators and crocks those pens are overcrowded to say the least. But that is a commercial farm and in that context doesn't look any worse than a chicken or hog farm to me. in fact I would say that based on the apparent health of those animals they are receiving adequate care, especially when you consider that the long term health of most of those gators is not a concern because most will go to market in the first few years of life. and let’s not forget without commercial farming many species of crocodilian including the American alligator and Australian estuarine crocodile would more than likely be extinct by now.

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I don't think I can put it any better. 100% agreed.

I've been to the croc farm near me plenty. They call it crocworld and it has display animals for school tours etc, but its really a croc farm only you don't normally see the farming.

As far as it goes I see it the same as a commercial cattle farm be they cows/chicken/pig/sheep. Its surely better for the environment too, since farming makes them a 'renewable' resource. Speaking of gators/crocs and farming, I have had a chance to eat croc tail, and whilst I wouldn't deliberately seek it out it really wasn't bad. I found it a bit stringy though, but not bad. And crock leather makes a great rifle case!!!

I've visited commercial gator farms and even one croc farm in Australia. All of them (and the croc farm in particular) had incredible living conditions, considering that it is a commercial farm that raises animals for slaughter. The living conditions of the breeders at the croc farm were above and beyond anything that any other captive croc sees, and this was on the same trip I got to go see Steve Irwin's croc exhibits at the Australia Zoo.

I have no issue with raising ANY animal in captivity with the end goal being the production of food, clothing, or other goods. As long as humane and healthy living conditions are provided completely up until the time of slaughter, I don't care what someone wants to farm.

Croc and gator meat is delicious btw.

I think it's great to preserve the species, deter poaching in the wild, and provide food and leather for the industry! It's a win win situation in my book.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

I have no issue with raising ANY animal in captivity with the end goal being the production of food, clothing, or other goods. As long as humane and healthy living conditions are provided completely up until the time of slaughter, I don't care what someone wants to farm.

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^^^^ this, 100%

I see nothing wrong with it and support farming, it takes pressure off the wild population.
Living in WA I've never had the chance to eat gator, but I've had rattler and it was very good.
My only concern is that commercial farms (any animal) should be inspected and checked by some authority to prevent inhumane practices and overcrowding.

I'm fine with it, and gator tail is awesome.

i agree, if it keeps the wild populations from being pursued, i'm all for it. However, I can't really say i liked the taste of gator when i tried it.. so its not like I'm going to really be monetarily supporting the market.