FINCHforum

Just wondering how everyone cleans their bottom grate?

If I take it out to clean the poopy the gap between the cage and the bottom is quite big they'd fly out... Hmm


Or do I simply stick my hand in the bottom side door and wipe it as clean as I can?
I have been pondering for a while now... 3 days actually lol and I'd like to clean before it builds up!

for in between cleanings I use either white vinegar and a paper towel, hydrogen peroxide and a paper towel or hydrogen peroxide wipes.

To remove and clean it you can put the tray in the grill slot while you clean the grill or you can remove the tray and clean the grill's underside while it is still in the cage. If you do remove the grill and replace it with the tray it is tricky and you need to work fast...easier if you clean the underside by removing the tray first.

cindy thank you!

Where do you find hydroperoxide wipes? I do have hydro peroxide in the house all the time do you weaken it at all?

I guess moving swiftly and being quiet about it is the best when putting in the tray where the grate was! Tricky tricky! Best do it when my daughter is occupied and lock the cat up and towel in hand!

I found the wipes in the first aid section of my Publix Supermarket. They come in a brown container with a white lid. They work great on the grill. I have used straight Hydrogen peroxide on a paper towel to remove stubborn stains, dilute it a bit to clean with.

cindy NICE! I will be on the look out. You don't think I should put it in a spray bottle? Would this harm them if its inhaled?

Ill dilute some in a little bowl tomorrow and clean ;)

Make a roll of newspaper or paper towel and stuff it in the gap while you clean the tray.

Or cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the grate and slide it in place while you have the tray out.

Hi Chirpy,

I have three flight cages for my birds. I generally let them out when I clean, so they can fly in/out as they want to. They generally always tried to get out the doors, when I have not flown them for a while, but yeah, I guess they could squeeze out of that area.

Nerien didn't think of cardboard. Great idea! Now to look for one big enough!

@Zebrafincher well I don't know if they will return lol our house has NO DOORS. Totally open concept high high HIGH ceiling where I can't even get the cob webs off! A two year old who will probably chase them as well lol.

chirpy

I just roll up and old towel and stick it in the gap, works fine and cleans up any mess. Works for both of my cages.

Mandie.

Another idea if you want to pull the grate is to make out of cardboard a cutout of the shape and size to match the grate, cover it in paper toweling or newspaper that can be removed and tossed if soiled. Pull the grate and insert the cardboard. You could even cover it in visqueen so you can wipe it down after using it.

these are the wipes....

That's why I removed the grates - they are just one more thing to clean.
There are enough poop magnets without adding any more.

Thank you everyone!!

I will keep an eye out for those wipes.. they will help me out for when I need it for non-bird related ouchies!

@mayble yes, I know.. I should juget take it out... except I need to figure out a way to do it.. plus when I go to change the paper I am scared they will fly out from the bottom if they go crazy!

I have in other cages (you will need to remove the birds of course) taken the side off the cage and slid the tray in on top of the grate, using either layers of white paper in the bottom or a substrate.

You can also with the A&E cages put the try in from the bottom, once in put the grate back in and position the try on top of the grate.

mayble wrote: That's why I removed the grates - they are just one more thing to clean.
There are enough poop magnets without adding any more.

Ditto!....They're a pain