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Step 1
Collect alligator eggs. There'll be different collection rules depending on which state you reside in. Contact a local Wildlife Department to learn the specific rules you'll need to follow. These rules typically include a listing of what areas you're permitted to collect eggs from.
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Step 2
Transport harvested eggs. The most important thing to keep in mind when bringing your collected eggs back to your farm is to make sure the eggs are kept with the top side up. Alligator embryos attach themselves to the tops of the eggs and it's been found that they die if the eggs are turned over.
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Step 3
Place eggs in the incubator. Very carefully remove the eggs from your transport container and keeping the top side up, transfer them to the incubator. Some alligator ranchers will actually place the eggs in numbered baskets prior to setting them inside the incubator. The numbering system allows them to track data such as where each set of eggs' nest was located, how many eggs were collected and how many were viable and hatched a live baby.
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Step 4
Start the incubation process. Incubators are heated to a temperature in between 86 and 91 degrees Fahrenheit and they should provide moisture to aid in the incubating process.
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Step 5
Wait for eggs to hatch. The time it takes alligators to hatch with proper incubation is approximately 65 days. Once the reptiles hatch remove them from the incubator and move them to the facilities you'll use for raising the babies to maturity; these facilities are often referred to as grow out pens.
