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Hey everyone I have a question.. I was watching Animal Planet, and they said you can put a feather duster into your cockatoo's cage to prevent them from overpreening. Is this true?

Hmmm...I've never done that...so I'm not sure...I would just make sure that there are plenty of wood toys to chew...you can make a lot yourself..and since your parents know birds...I'm sure they have idea and can help alot..My cockatoos don't have a tendency to over preen...and if they start, then I have to take a better look at their current diet...toys...enviromental issues..changes..etc...
Since your bird is 5...you will have to kind of step back and let him adjust a bit...When I get a new bird...I usually spend the first days..just sitting by the cage reading outloud....that gets him used to my voice..and seeing me...but yet, I'm not a threat....

I have heard that before. Luckily, I don't have a problem with that anymore. Sera started to overpreen, then she went through her first molt and grew in her flight feathers. Now, she's a very happy well adjusted bird. But now, we have to work on her flying and dive bombing things. She's actually getting MUCH better at that and not attacking things (like the German Shepherds......not good!)

I'd be worried to buy a feather duster out of the store as I'm not sure what is in those feathers. You can buy a lot of preening type toys that usually work well.