Feel the temperature of your cockerel's legs and then compare it to other chickens' legs. Chickens legs easily feel warm - to the extent that it can feel as if they peed on your legs when they're sitting on your lap
Also try feeling other birds' hocks, just for comparison.
Only suggesting it since when we had our first ever ill pig, we thought he was breathing rather fast, only to then see his healthy brothers breathe the same
#howtofeelsilly
From your description I too would not despatch him but leave him to rest unless his situation changes and he becomes undoubtedly in a lot of pain. There's an issue with his toes but from what you mention he's not suffering. Our bodies don't always have to be perfect
Is there a good chicken vet near you?