In Bobby's cage there was a grate that sat in the bottom, I have decided to remove it as Bobby enjoys foraging around on the bottom and playing with his toys down there.

 

I just wanted to know what others did in this situation, if they prefer to leave it there or you remove it so that your budgie can forage, or any other reasons.

 

I have newspaper down the bottow which I change regularily so that he can't pick up any bacteria, is there anything else I need to be mindful of if I decide to keep the grate off???

 

Your input is greatly appreciated :bluebudgie:

 

Thanks

:ausb: No idea what they are for as well, poop collector? just makes it harder to clean the cage on a daily basis, maybe it is for those folks that don't clean their cages daily and have that kitty litter stuff underneath? :bluebudgie:

I don't think so. Just clean the poops out often, so he's not foraging amongst his own poops :bluebudgie:

It's there to separate the budgie from its poops as even when changed daily, they collect during the day. I've seen many a budgie get messy from hanging out down there, especially babies. Generally, it's more sanitary to leave the grate in place.

 

It's also to try and keep them from chewing up the lining of the cage. Many budgies will destroy it if given the chance.

 

Leaving it in also makes it easier to do a quick clean with the budgie still in the cage as sliding the tray out won't mean sliding the budgie out as well (if you've got one that just loves being on the bottom, that is).

 

I leave the grates in my cages as most of my birds will shred the paper if given the chance. Many members use sandpaper liners to line their cages and in that case, I would definitely leave the grate in place. There is some risk with the bird chewing on and ingesting the sand which could lead to impaction of the crop.

 

Personally, I just don't like the idea of my budgies playing around in their poop half the day. I've got a couple that really love foraging at the bottom and yes, sometimes they will explore their own poops as well. Keeping the grate in place almost eliminates their contact with poop as long as it's wiped clean regularly.

Edited March 7, 200619 yr by eterri

I personally dont like the grates they are a nightmare to clean and my birds hate them I do however leave them in but I cover them with newspaper below and kitchen tissue over the top which gets changed 2/3 times a day, but if you dont have a cage cleaning obession like me then I would keep the grate.

some of my cages have the grates, some dont. I prefer with the grate, for me its easier to clean each day.

I agree with having grate... all my cages have grates (accept for aviary of course).. I find that it is easier to clean.. and for the job of cleaning the grates, I use vinegar mix with water (one to ten ratio), spray it on, and leave it for a minute or so, then wipe off.. it comes off just like fresh stuff!!! (Laughing out loud)...

Oh thats good to know Cheeta.

 

Also my biggest cage is quite high and they sleep right up at the top and sometimes they get night frights and Im always worried if they grate isnt covered and they fall to the bottom they will get hurt.

No probs. For the more stubborn ones... (like ones that pile right up because it's your budgie's favourite spots... give it a second spraying...

 

I can't say I've ever encounter night fright with my birds yet... knock on wood though... so I'm not sure how that would go.

I don't like them, i've taken the one in Blinkie's cage out because he often 'plays hard' which sometimes results in his falling down ( :(Laughing out loud) and i would hate for him to get hurt on the bars.

I must admit that I a little "poop obsessive compulsive", paper gets changed if it needs it during they day especially if it has been shredded or chewed. When I had my babies, my landlord ( a friend who works shifts and visits my birds during the day) would often change the cage paper for me every couple of hours. I should keep my other floors that clean, better get to my bedroom tonight!

I must admit that I a little "poop obsessive compulsive", paper gets changed if it needs it during they day especially if it has been shredded or chewed. When I had my babies, my landlord ( a friend who works shifts and visits my birds during the day) would often change the cage paper for me every couple of hours. I should keep my other floors that clean, better get to my bedroom tonight!

okay

kool i dont no know wat what ur your talking bout but oh well

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Please don't use short cuts on this forum. It is an international forum and some members have enough trouble learning English.

Edited April 5, 200619 yr by daz

I perfer to leave the grate in. It is healthier for them.

I'm going by the budgie my family had (only one). I think if you only have one or two birds it does not get ridiculously messy without the grate down there between the time you are at work. I also used paper towels on the bottom which soaked up the wetness of the poop and my birdy (Cuddles RIP) never was dirty. I just think walking around on the grate all day every day would hurt his little footies becuase he was down there alot. Just my opinion, i don't know about if you have alot of birds in one cage. I could imagine the grate would be mandatory in that case

I have a grate in my cage (you can't remove it) and my cage is 165cm tall. Sometimes my budgies fall to the bottom, but they never get hurt. I find having a grate is more hygenic for the budgies and easier to clean.

Edited April 7, 200619 yr by Sailorwolf