Frostbite was one of the early possibilities that some of us suggested. I am glad that was the problem, and that he is recovering. Thanks for reporting about draining the wattles to relieve the pressure, very interesting.
I’ve decided that is what he did. The head shaking and I didn’t see it. He must have been in the coop. He is crowing today! He sounds more like a Volkswagen horn but he is doing it. Makes me very happy.