HQ cage bottom question

[pnp26]

Hi everyone, I have the HQ cage and I was wondering if you guys use the bottom bars on it or just the tray. All of his poop seems to stick to the bottom bars and so I was wondering if I could just use the tray instead and remove the bars.

[chapala]

If you remove the grate, there will be a space that's too big, and the bird could get his head stuck. I leave the grate in, but use paper over the grate since I don't like cleaning grates!

[jodeg]

I leave the grate in on all 3 HQ cages, because, as Reta says, the opening would be big enough for them to get their head stuck, and as you probably know, they like to get into everything!

I wipe each grate every morning when I change the paper in the cage tray. It just take a quick wipe if I stay on top of it.

Or you can cover the grate with paper, like Reta does.

[Jinx n Noodle]

I also keep the grate on, but then mine will root in the paper and the junk on the bottom too and I really don't like poopy feet!

[StephGee]

I took the grate out of Herbie's HQ yesterday and went outside to hose it down (that's my preferred way of cleaning it-1ce a week with some blue Dawn and a sponge). When I came back in the house, he was flying around. The doors to his cage were closed (as I had left them). Stinker got out of his cage from between the tray and the cage. In under 5 minutes. No kidding. So yeah, I will always be leaving the grate in and apparently I have to make sure my husband's home when I want to clean it or Herbie will come right out.

[jodeg]

Glad Herbie is okay! Boy they sure can get into stuff (or out) in a hurry!

When my 3 are out in the bird room for supervised play time, my 2 females are fine, playing etc., but Kermit, my male, zooms around the room, just looking to see what he can get into next -- picture frame, clock, top of the door, curtains, etc. -- goofy bird!