House birds are often subject to bad feet. From the second year they
become pale, and lose their freshness. They must be frequently cleaned,
taking care to remove the skin; the thick loose scales ought also to be
taken off, but with all possible precaution.
The gout occasions the feet to swell, they are also so scaly and painful
that the poor little bird cannot support itself without resting on the
points of its wings. Dr. Handel prescribes a warm fomentation with a
decoction of soapwort. If a foot should be bruised or broken, he advises
that the diseased bird should be shut up in a very small cage, the
bottom of which is very smooth and even, without any perches, or
anything which would tempt them to hop, and put in a very quiet and
solitary place, out of the way of anything which might produce
agitation. In this manner the bird will cure itself in a little time,
without any bandage or plaster of any kind.
I am persuaded that the principal cause of bad feet is want of bathing.
The scales, contracting from dryness, occasion great pain; in order to
remove them with ease, and without danger, the feet must be softened in
lukewarm water. I have seen the following method used with a
bullfinch:--its cage was made with a moveable tin bottom, which being
half or three quarters of an inch deep, could hold water, which was put
in tepid, to bathe the bird; the perches were then removed, so that the
bird was obliged to remain in the water, where it was left for half an
hour, sometimes throwing it hemp-seed to amuse it. After repeating the
bath once or twice the bird became very fond of it; and it was remarked
that its feet became, if we may say so, quite young again. The scales
being sufficiently softened, the middle of each was cut lengthways
without reaching the flesh, this made the sides easily fall off. It is
better to remove only two scales a-day, that the bird may not be
wearied. By continuing the bath three times a week the feet become
healthy and supple, and the bird is easy.