Anyone have a suggestion?

As you can see from the attached picture, Raven's cage has a huge open gap between the grate/bottom frame of the cage, and the tray.

Griffin's daily habit is to come over to his neighbor Raven's house as often as he can. He has started really liking to go in through this gap onto the bottom tray with the poop and debris! While I keep it reasonably clean, of course besides shredded toy debris, there is old food and poop. I just don't want him going under there. I've told him no many times, but he insists on going there. I think it is one of his newly discovered "forbidden" spots which is why he likes it lol. Many times he is there before I even know it. I put him back on his cage, turn around for a minute and he's right back there in a split second!

I feel like putting "something" there to block the space. Any suggestions as to what sort of material?

How about have a glass shop cut down a sheet of plexiglass to cover the gap, and you can drill holes in the plexiglass and cage then affix with stainless screws. Does that make any sense at all lol? I can see it in my head...

I have a cage similar to yours, though the tray is twice as thick/deep as yours and slides into the opening you want to block.

If you have any friends or family in the heating & air business, you might think about having a larger tray built.....the heating & air connection would be that either they could build you a tray or introduce you to the duct maker they use. If you go that route, be sure whoever makes it rolls/bends over the top edge.....leaving it mill edge could cause cuts...look at your tray, I'm pretty sure it's rolled/bent to the inside of the tray. Though your cage is powder coated, I think a satin black finish for a new tray would color match well...be sure to wipe a newly made tray down with lacquer thinner, to remove any oil or release compound used when the sheet metal was made...if you don't remove the oil/release compound, you'll end up with a less than desirable paint finish.

Speaking of paint finish, a couple of cans of Rustoleum satin black spray paint should do you a good job.....paint outside & leave out there 2-3 days 'til the initial odor dissipates.....

Actually you can buy plexiglass sheets at any hardware store and its easy to cut, just score with a box cutter and snap it. You can drill into it and everything. That's what I'd suggest...especially since the birdie is being a stinker. If he forces his way in anyhow, then you'll be able to see him.

The Beaks' cage has a huge gap like that, but it also came with a rather large, rather unwieldy cage skirt that stuck out about six inches all around. I got my husband to remove the skirt and cut it squarely so that it could be attached to block the gap. That worked perfectly and I don't need the skirt thingo because hubby also made me some acrylic no-waste feeders.

I think the plexiglass idea is probably your best bet. It will allow you full view of the cage bottom and prevent other little noses from getting where they shouldn't go.

Tap Plastics, if there is one by you, will cut plexy to size for you.

Birdman, I just googled Tap Plastics, and their California locations are all in NorCal. I'm in SoCal. Sounds great, but I'm just not up to taking the 10 hour drive LOL.

I do like the plexiglass idea, but I would like to be able to either remove (or only attach at the top so I could lift up to wipe) the panels easily for cleaning.

I'm thinking I could drill holes near the top and attach it to the cage frame with some zip ties. Have the panels long enough to hang slightly over the gap on the outside, so that they can be lifted up to swing out, but not inwards. If that makes sense - I'm finding it hard to explain in words.
Now, I need to find someplace that sells plexiglass that will cut it to the sizes needed. I wonder if anywhere that sells plexiglass would cut it for you? I had no idea you can just score and snap with a box cutter. The plexiglass I usually see seems too thick for that. I don't need a very thick piece anyway. Actually even a thinner plastic might work. That's enough to deter a Poi and a Pi.... Doesn't even need to be plexiglass actually. It's not like were talking about a Cockatoo or Macaw here lol! Plexiglass might look better though. I'll keep you posted.

I had no idea. I had one down the street from my parents house when they lived in NorCal, so it was convenient for me. Only reason I knew anything about them.

RavensGryf said:

I do like the plexiglass idea, but I would like to be able to either remove (or only attach at the top so I could lift up to wipe) the panels easily for cleaning.

Click to expand...

Something like this would make it easy enough to lift for cleaning, and aren't god-awful expensive-

Hardware Resources | 33527SS | Stainless Steel | Window Hardware > Hinges

Kiwibird said:

RavensGryf said:

I do like the plexiglass idea, but I would like to be able to either remove (or only attach at the top so I could lift up to wipe) the panels easily for cleaning.

Click to expand...

Something like this would make it easy enough to lift for cleaning, and aren't god-awful expensive-

Hardware Resources | 33527SS | Stainless Steel | Window Hardware > Hinges

Click to expand...

Great idea. I like the hinges. I was going to try not to drill the cage, but it is definitely an idea if I find that a semi-permanent way doesn't work.

An inexpensive fix would be to go to a hardware store and purchase a small roll of wire cloth. The kind used for making outdoor cages & such. I found some in the garden section at Lowe's / or Builders, years ago when I made my aviary for my parakeets.
Then you can simply cut it to the size required and bend it and affix it to the cage itself. It will also be easier for you to remove if the time comes.
It is sold in everywhere from 10' - 50' rolls (go with the 10' of course) and different widths, and is inexpensive.
You will need a pair of wire-cutters

We have some hardware cloth, but that metal isn't always safe (zinc) I've heard. I can research the different kinds though. Thanks.

I don't have much experience with the chomping capabilities of birds your size, but I occasionally use plastic zip ties for assembling Kiwi's toys and he can snap them like toothpicks. Wonder if they'll be strong enough for a determined POI? Even if he snaps one though, they're cheap enough to replace

The sticky back Velcro sold at HomeDepot would keep your plexiglass where you want it to cover the gap. They have the plexiglass too.......

Kiwibird said:

I don't have much experience with the chomping capabilities of birds your size, but I occasionally use plastic zip ties for assembling Kiwi's toys and he can snap them like toothpicks. Wonder if they'll be strong enough for a determined POI? Even if he snaps one though, they're cheap enough to replace

Click to expand...

My birds can easily chew through zip ties but I don't think they'll linger down in that area once they know the gap is gone. I bet Griffin would look at the area, be bummed he can no longer go down there, then he'd just climb up and play with one of the million toys he and Raven have.

I like the Velcro idea too. Even EASIER!

Hmm, I'm thinking you could also hang the plexiglass with neodymium magnets. Get a good epoxy to attach the magnets to the plexiglass, a large enough magnet size, and I doubt the birds could move it. Those magnets are crazy strong.

Forgot to add, when I was at Lowes a week ago I saw they offer to cut their lexan or plexiglass to size for you.

LOL he's a cute and smart stinker. I think everyone had given great suggestions, got pictured of him "visiting"?

You could also put maybe a seed catcher around the cage, a black one to match. The netting would keep him out as well as keeping food in! A double win, hehe and you can just pull down the front when you need to clean the tray (as opposed to having to take the whole thing off), that's what I do for mine. It's a more simple resolution to the problem