Zombies Will Not Pick up Items

After playing a game of Achievement Hunter, I have realized that, in 1.8.x, zombies no longer pick up dropped items which made getting the "Diamonds to You" achievement in single player impossible. After doing further experimentation I have found that the zombies also no longer spawn with armor.

Either this or the chances of this occurring have been dramatically decreased.

After doing more testing in 1.7.10 I found that zombies spawn with armor and the ability to pick up items at a very high rate.