[Avodah] torture in halacha???

[hankman]

R'nLL wrote:
But we don't really use "perhaps"s, do we?  Suppose there's a
qualitative difference between a quill from a live bird and a quill from
a dead bird.  So that a quill from a dead bird is a poor replacement for
one from a live bird.  I can't think of any halakhic reason to refrain
from using the better quality quill just because it causes the bird
discomfort.

CM responds:
Only when you are asserting, but I am only considering the possibility - not 
asserting a certainty (in my mind).

Also, of course if there is a qualitative difference between the quill from 
the live bird and the dead one then this would be letzorech again and use of 
the live bird would be mutar. I assumed there is no such qualitative 
difference in the quill. If that is not the case - then under those 
circumstances I stand corrected.

Kol tuv
Chaim Manaster