Molting or Sick? Lina looking not so good.

[Nanajennie]

No one has a nest but Shabby and Chic. And they are on the second floor

I removed the fake nest from Lucy and Lina the same day as I put it in there per advice I read about females who still will try and mate eachother.

I am at a loss for thoughts or words. Time will tell. I am in the other room as I type and hear a crying sound like she is begging for food, do you think it is possible she is still trying to get fed by Lucy? I am grasping at straws at this point

Zebra experts,, please pitch in here... I am so lost

[Nanajennie]

No one has a nest but Shabby and Chic. And they are on the second floor

I removed the fake nest from Lucy and Lina the same day as I put it in there per advice I read about females who still will try and mate eachother.

I am at a loss for thoughts or words. Time will tell. I am in the other room as I type and hear a crying sound like she is begging for food, do you think it is possible she is still trying to get fed by Lucy? I am grasping at straws at this point

Zebra experts,, please pitch in here... I am so lost

[Ginene]

Nanajennie
Do you think its possible that she is going to be laying eggs soon and wants to get her environment ready? Maybe putting a wicker nest (or 2-one for Lucy too) with some nest material might make her stop plucking herself? You can give each of them an egg or 2 to brood. This may fulfill the urge to nest...if that's what's happening.

[Nerien]

If you think she's plucking to make a nest, then give her some nesting materials. After decorating the cage with fake plants, I stripped the leaves off of the extra plants and threw them in the cage loose, as well as a bunch of fake flower petals from a dollar store bead-and-flower necklace. My zebras, and societies who also got some, spend all day picking up loose leaves and petals and trying to stuff them in the perches and bushes to make nests. Of course it doesn't work, but it keeps them busy so they leave each other and their feathers alone. If someone does start managing to lodge a pile of leaves in a single place like the start of a nest, I pull it all down and make them start over. I'm so mean!

Since they've had leaves to obsess over building with, no picking, no fighting, no eggs, even. Worth a try! Could also throw some feathers in there if you have any, if you provide feathers, she may leave her own alone.

[Ginene]

Good ideas Ruth ...

[Nanajennie]

Nerien You are a on target! I went to move the foliage in the corner that they sleep in most often, and "Viola" feathers floated to the bottom of the cage! She was putting her feathers in the tightly packed corner of foliage.

I am going to call around today to see what is open and if they have fake plants/flowers.

What a relief to know she isn't ill But also, I hope she doesn't continue to pluck herself. I am going to look for feathers too.

Thanks ladies for all the support and advice. Lets pray this ends soon with the fake out nest idea.

[debbie276]

Just a suggestion, if you buy a feather pillow you will have a huge supply of feathers.

[Nanajennie]

debbie276 what a great idea! And the feathers are small feathers too! I almost bought some at the craft store a while ago, but they were huge and overpriced.

That is such a good idea! I can take some out and put them in a big freezer zip lock, sew up the hole and have a new pillow!!! Wooot Wooot Thanks Debbie!

[Nerien]

If nothing is open today, just give her some shreds of paper towel or napkin to work with until you can get something better. I'm finding they're not really concerned with what they work with, as long as they have something to work with.

I put pieces of lettuce in for them to pick at and eat, later on when it's wilted or drying, I find the remains of it hanging from the branches in a nesting attempt.

Nothing like decorating your home with dead lettuce, huh?

[Nanajennie]

I am on my way out soon see what I can come up with. Stores are open late today! surprised me.

I also might be buying a zeb male/female to give to Lucy and Charlie.... I called petco, they have them for 20 bucks. I am only buying them if they look healthy etc...

I wish I could re-home Lina, I don't really have a strong attachment to her, and she is a 5th wheel. (don't get me wrong, I love her, just not in love with her) I might have to get her a mate, as nobody in VT wants zebras.

I did find a woman in the next town that has Societies. She sounded like she was 100 years old on the phone, and didn't know when she would have any, asked her to call when she did know, she said "It would be better if you called me" LOL!!! Who makes someone stalk them for birds?

Now I will be a crazy finch stalker!!!!!!!! Lordy Lordy ;)