Anyone dealt with alligators as a predator?

[ellieroo]

When you get to Florida just go out to Key West and get your chicken fix. They are everywhere out there !! Grew up in Florida the culture shock going from Idaho to Florida will be huge

but I bet you have chickens in no time.The grasshoppers there are really big

and you will need a flock army for your garden!

 

[fezlet]

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x2!!! I visited the everglades in the summer (wrong move, yep I know. MOSQUITOES!!) I absolutely loved it, but that's beside the point. These grasshoppers, I'm not even kidding, ARE GIGANTIC and are literally everywhere.

I had to take a picture from my phone of the picture that is on my camera because I can't find my usb cord

 

[ellieroo]

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x2!!! I visited the everglades in the summer (wrong move, yep I know. MOSQUITOES!!) I absolutely loved it, but that's beside the point. These grasshoppers, I'm not even kidding, ARE GIGANTIC and are literally everywhere.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/107047_wp_000154.jpg I had to take a picture from my phone of the picture that is on my camera because I can't find my usb cord

To this day I freak out over grasshoppers rather than large hairy spiders and its those guys's fault !!!

 

[fezlet]

Quote:
x2!!! I visited the everglades in the summer (wrong move, yep I know. MOSQUITOES!!) I absolutely loved it, but that's beside the point. These grasshoppers, I'm not even kidding, ARE GIGANTIC and are literally everywhere.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/107047_wp_000154.jpg I had to take a picture from my phone of the picture that is on my camera because I can't find my usb cord

To this day I freak out over grasshoppers rather than large hairy spiders and its those guys's fault !!!

We were walking a swamp trail (bf and I) and I walked past this thing and about jumped out of my skin. It was a lot scarier than the wild gators that were only feet away from us. It was bright orange and HUGE. Terrifying. If you drive down 41 through the Big Cypress National Reserve at night you'll hit thousands.

Sorry for going off topic. Just had to share

 

[9Catsz]

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Alligators don't hunt by smell at all. They're ambush predators who hide out of sight just below the water line and ambush things coming to the water's edge to get a drink or wade in. As others have already said, a chain link fence will keep the alligators at bay.

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Alligators don't hunt by smell. Kinda hard to smell something rooting around the edge of the water when you're under it, LOL.

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As for fencing....alligators don't climb, can't jump, therefore a 4 foot chain link fence is all you need to keep alligators away from you.

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Don't know where you get this "factoid" because it's not true. Dogs do fall prey to alligators, but #1 in their diet...not....again, LOL.

 

[NateinFL]

That's such bull about people trying to scare you from keeping chickens because of alligators...get real. Unless you have your coop built IN the pond or swamp you will never have one visit. Alligators don't hunt on land. Just like anywhere else you will have to deal with hawks, coons, fox, etc. Just build a nice coop and enjoy your chickens.

 

[lishah2000]

Alligators can climb fences! They do deter them most of the time, but they can and will climb them if motivated enough. (Usually not for hunting reasons, more to find water or for breeding).

I would still put a fence up along the water (more to protect your kids and/or dogs) and enjoy your chickens. Hawks, raccoons, bobcat, fox and possums are much more of an issue for the chickens.

 

[drgnflyz]

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Climbing- Yes- I had heard alligators could climb, just had a hard time believing it. Here is a web site http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw230 and an excerpt about climbing. "Myth #3. Alligators are not good climbers.
Alligators have sharp claws and powerful tails to help them push their bodies up. Young alligators are agile climbers and adults have been known to climb fences to get to water or escape captivity. Low fences, therefore, may not be sufficient protection for pets in areas where alligators are present. Fences should be more than 4.5 feet tall if you are attempting to keep alligators out of your yard."

Sense of smell- I did a little research on the alligator's sense of smell. Indeed they have a keen sense of smell- even when submerged in the water an alligators eyes, ears and nose are visible and they do use their sense of smell for finding prey.

Hunting on land- Here is what I found about alligators hunting on land. "Although fish and other prey taken in the water or at the water edge form the major part of alligator's diet, adult alligators also spend considerable time hunting on land, up to 50 m (170 feet) from water, ambushing terrestrial animals on trailsides and road shoulders on warm nights." from^ Dinets, V.L. (2011). "On terrestrial hunting in crocodilians". Herpetological Bulletin 114: 15–18

I personally think that if an alligator were to have line of sight to chickens they would naturally be considered prey, so I would build an enclosure with that in mind.

Again, for many reasons I have decided not to take my beloved hens from Idaho to SW Fla. Though i will be forlorn for a time without them, they will continue to live a carefree life in the manner to which they are accustomed. Once I have gotten settled and experience life there, then I can make an informed decision about keeping chickens safe and happy!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Another native Floridian here. As another poster already mentioned alligators are going to be close to last on your list of potential chicken predators. Yes, it can happen, but it won't happen very often and more likely not at all. There are many other predators your should be more concerned about.

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In Florida those little coastal islands are called "keys" as in "Key West" and other such places. If there is road access to get to one then living space is often so crowded that keeping poultry might well be problematical.

I hope you enjoy living on one. They can be quite beautiful locations with much to recommend them. One thing however that anyone who buys real estate on a Florida key should understand though is that keys can and sometimes do move. This usually happens very slowly by current erosion which is why people spend so much money on sea walls and sand replenishment. On rare occasion though it can happen very quickly when the Hurricane Moving Company comes to call. What was once dry land yesterday may be an open pass to the sea between two keys tomorrow. Not trying to alarm you as it's a remote chance but one that comes up every year. The real estate companies tend to gloss over such things in my opinion.

 

[twentynine]

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Yes! The homes are/were built on stilts, but alligators were not the reason.

Seasonal flooding. Now that's the reason.