To grate or not to grate, that is the question.

[ShellyBorg]

So I was looking at my cages and realized I had grates in 2 out of 5 cages. I have been having issues with foot toys and snacks getting dropped and unretrievable between the grates and very upset birds "fishing" for these things. I thought i would see how many grate and how many go grateless.

[josiesmom]

I put the grate in, but I put paper on it so I'm probably creating twice as much work.

[tonkatiel]

I use the grate but only because on all of my cages there seems to be a pretty big gap between the grate and tray - so if I remove the grate the fids can get out of the cage :/ if I didn't have that problem though then I'd definitely 'go grateless' - so much extra work involved by having them in there!

[Debra]

I have grates, but cover them with newspaper. Well,, all but Lucy's. If she can reach the paper she will make a nest out of it and hide in it. So it's grate all the way for her. Paper for the others.

[Blancaej]

Grates with newspaper on top is what I do, too!

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[ShellyBorg]

I would think putting papers on top of would be thought of as ungrated then. As the grate is use to keep your parrot off the bottom of the cage and out of its waste.

[Pinkbirdy]

I do the same with the newspaper over the grate . I know what you mean with foot toys.

[Debra]

Shelly, you may be right there. I never thought of it that way.

[Blancaej]

The problem on some cages if you take the grate out their is sometimes a bigger gap under the grate where birds may be able to escape. Depending on the size of the bird.

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[spiritbird]

Using grates under newspaper also. I use layers and remove top layer for cleaning. Eventually must remove all to clean the bottom of the cages.

[shel]

not a fan of grates and have removed them all and used them to re-make or extend the cages! but that is just what works for my flock. every home is different.

[Fawn]

i use grates, paper underneath. it causes for messy cleanup with scrubbing poo off the grates every time but.. i dunno, something about them clamoring around in unavoidable poop seems yucky to me. my vet suggested that everyone should go grateless.. but again. poop.