Rooster has me worried....

[ClareScifi]

My precious rooster, who turns 5 on Monday, God willing, has me worried. He has been shaking his head A LOT, sometimes scratching at his ear with his foot, and opening and closing his beak more than usual. This summer I had a problem with mites, but I think I got rid of them. He is feisty, and I sprinkled him with DE. He appears to be molting, which he does this time of year, but it seems to me more feathers are missing than in a regular molt and they are growing back in more slowly. What do you think could be his problem? Do chickens get ear mites? Should I treat him with some form of mectin? He is a lot less feisty acting than before, although I attributed this to his age, but I'm wondering whether he maybe doesn't feel up to par? What do you think?

 

[ClareScifi]

Does it sound like he could have worms? The other 8 chickens (hens) he resides with seem fine. I turned them upside down in July and dusted them thoroughly with DE, but in the summer this rooster was still very feisty, and I was afraid to do more than sprinkle his back well with the DE, at night, and rub it in. Do you think he could have a respiratory infection from the DE?