How can I keep Apollo from getting under the bottom of his cage?

[gibson2503]

I have a sun conure, Apollo, in a large cage. He loves it. Lots of room to play and climb. When my wife and I are home, we keep his cage open. He climbs all around the outside, top, sides, even the bottom. The trouble is that there is a tray that goes into a slot to catch crumbs, poop, etc. Between the bottom of his cage and this tray, there is a space the length of the cage on all sides, that he can go through and get to the tray. We catch him going down there to get dropped food. Obviously, that's not good because of the poop down there. Does anyone know how I can install something, bird safe, to keep him out of there? I thought about chicken wire, but I'm afraid he would get cut up with that stuff.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

How does he get under the grating between the tray and bottom? Maybe i'm picturubg the wrong kind of cage. Could u post a photo or a link yo a site with the cage?

 

[gibson2503]

Here's a pic of the bottom of the cage. Sorry, I should have thought about that.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

I see what u mean. I don't recall seeing a setup like that before. That tray is totally exposed for him, or even a cat if u had one. My first thought is to get a stretchable mesh or fabric seed guard. How big is that cage all 4 sides together?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

plexiglass will be your friend here cut it to the proper size and bold it to the cage to keep him from climbing there.

*edit*
Wannabeaparrots idea is great too!

 

[gibson2503]

About 132 inches all the way around. It's about 36 X 30.

 

[gibson2503]

I like both of those ideas.

 

[Megapixel]

Plexiglass is a good idea, that's what I'd use. In the mean time, as a temporary fix I'd cut some cardboard to size to block off the area.

 

[GaryBV]

That is a LOT of space between the bottom of the cage and the tray lol. I know what I would do, is I'd put one of those elastic seed catchers that wrap around the bottom and are pretty stretchy to cover up that space.

Here is a link to one to show you what I am talking about (plus they come in different sizes AND are CHEAP!):

Bird Cage Accessories: Prevue Pet Products Seed Catcher for bird cages