he was probably depressed. And yes that's an earlobe not some disease. He's off to a real good startI don't think it's his earlobe, but both are like that so I could be wrong. Just doesn't look like any I've seen before. I called him a rescue because the previous owner gave two roos away to my neighbor. They met at the a store in a nearby town so for all we know this guy spent his entire life in a pen. He didn't roost last night on the limb I have in that little pen. He just sat inside the brood box instead, so I'm guessing he's been living in tight quarters without a place to roost. His size, body and color make me think he's mixed, 1/2 game roo + 1/2 dominicker hen. He seems to be pretty young but he's slightly bigger than my red.