Grates aren't so great?

[grace]

The cage I have has a grate but it can't be removed without snapping off the whole cage bottom.  I don't really like it so I am going to take it out.  I put paper in the tray below, which pulls out like a little drawer.  I am curious though after reading posts from some of the rest of you as I have noticed you leave the grate in but put paper on top of it.  I can understand on some because the grate is integral to the structure of the cage, but if not, why would you leave it in if you are going to put paper on top?  Is there some benefit I am missing?

[budgieholic]

I have a grate also but mine is removable i still place newspaper over the grate makes it easy to clean the cage

[OP]

I have a grate in my cage, but the paper goes in the tray under the grate. The grate helps somewhat to keep things in the tray, except when Edward flaps around at the bottom of the cage. The grate is removable so gets a good clean occasionally as the poo does stick to it sometimes.

[Deleted]

I have a grate which I keep in the cage, but I place some paper down over it as my budgie has a couple of floor toys he likes to play with. I also sprinkle some oyster grit on the floor for him as he won't eat it from a feeder. I clean the cage every morning and sometimes change the paper again in the day if it gets particularly mucky. I line the bottom of the cage below the grate as well.

[Laurallei]

The bird farm that I got my cage from sells their cages without the bottom grate. They believe there dangerous. I believe this to be personal preference though as I know many other places recommend the bottom grates.
My Jo's cage does not have the bottom grate. She loves going to the bottom of the cage. I line the bottom with paper towels and change the paper daily.

[Marianne Marlow]

I have three cages, one with no grate and two with grates (they are hagen vision cages)
There is a towel on the grate and then newspaper on top of that.
I find it cushions their landing because without the grate it's a long way to fall and the base is bumpy and hard.
Also the base of the cage with grate in, is really hard to clean!
Cleaning a grate isn't fun either!

[milliej]

None of the cages we've ever had, have had grates. I was advised against them years ago! I put soft or some sort of paper on the bottom of the cages which gets changed at least 6 times a week as they both have removable trays

[grace]

I have taken out the grate also. I change the paper in the tray nightly- it only takes a minute or two. Before I was wiping the grate down nightly before changing the paper. I think as long as I commit to regular paper changes that removing the grate is fine.

[Deleted]

Is it ok to have no grate when birds are sharing a cage, as if they are playing with toys the bottom of the cage they may be walking in the droppings.