Okay, this makes a lot of sense. His struggle to stand, walk, then falling over. It was immediately after his falling over that he started thrashing around.
This also fits the situation. Thanks.
And I will keep a closer watch on the rest of them.
Thank you for your kind words.
After going over all my photos (I have a lot!) I'm thinking more that Joel had an underlying health issue. Neither cockerel showed any injury, and the day or two before Joel passed he and Samuel were side by side, checking out an extra feeder I'd created.
See how...
I lost my head rooster/cockerel last week.
I looked at photos of Joel, to try to figure out when he started to decline.
November 3, 2023, full body, nice tail.
November 25, 2023, tail looks smaller.
December 9, 2023, still decent tail feathers
December 16, 2023, looking smaller, tail...