Question on Zebra Behavior

[lnlovesorange]

Hello all. I have noticed lately that my Zebra's when they are on top of the cage (i let them out in my room for fly time) they love to go on top of their cage, and I will put things up there, like a piece of cloth (cuz they trip alot, cuz their little legs fall through the cage spaces) when i put a piece of cloth (felt, or cotton) they pick at it....almost like they are eating it, i've never seen them swallow, but it still makes me nervious. So if someone could advise on this, should i just leave the top of the cage alone and not put these pieces of cloth? Are they "eating" it? Also, i've notice that my female over the last....week or week & a half, every once in a while when they are "foraging" (as i mentioned above" or when on a perch with the male she will grab at his back side (under his tail feathers kind of near the back of his leg) she will grab at that and come up with a mouth full of feathers!! and I thougth i saw her EAT the feathers once. The other times i've seen her do it, she just dropped the feathers in her mouth. The male doesn't squak when she does it, but i've noticed now that he DOES not let her get behind him.... I've been keeping a close eye, there is no bald spot on him yet, but it does seem like it's thinning there. Is this normail behavior? Other than this they get along GREAT, they've mated, and had eggs (no babies b/c i think they were too young to know to brood) but they sleep eat, play and preen & bathe together. This is new btw, she neever did anything like this before, and it's only her that does it. Any tips comments suggestions. Thank you!!!

[kyro]

It might be that your zebra wants to make a nest. Sometimes they pick on their mate's feathers if they have no nesting materials.

[lnlovesorange]

That would make sense, because they are trying to mate again too.... maybe i'll take the old nest out and put back the materials so they can build again...thanks!!!