Before you plunk down your hard-earned money on chicken because the package makes it sound healthy, educate yourself on what those labels really mean.  Here's a list to get you started.

Free Range – This means that the chickens are allowed outdoor access so they eat a natural diet of bugs, grass and whatever else catches their attention out in the yard. (kinda like kids)  While better than many poultry production methods and significantly more pleasant for the chickens, it does not mean that the natural food they eat is non-toxic or pesticide free (again, kinda like kids).

Cage-Free – Another somewhat misleading term, since cage-free does not mean free-range and can often indicate a situation where chickens are smashed together in a barn where they are  free to push around in a mosh pit environment but not usually given any healthy or enjoyable quality of life.

Vegetarian Fed – This label lets you know that the chickens have only been fed a diet free of animal products (which are often used in animal feeds).  Maybe it's just me but it seems a bit ironic to raise vegetarian chickens for human meat consumption...

Certified Humane – Chickens certified with this term by Humane Farm Animal Care get to nest, roost, engage in natural behaviors and (gasp!) get to live like chickens.

Nutrient-Enhanced – Nutritional additives are sometimes included in the diets of the chickens, sometimes to cash in on the popular buzz words associated with health.  Some of these include certain types of grains such as flax seed, marine algae, and marigolds so that the chicken products can qualify as omega-3 enriched, folate fortified, DHA-enhanced, or high in lutein.  The jury is still out on whether enough of these substances are present to have any real health or nutrition benefits even when included through the chickens' diet.

Free of Antibiotics, Chemicals or Hormones – pretty self-explanatory, this labeling indicates that hormones have not been used in the chickens' feed and that no antibiotics or chemicals have been used in the production process.

Organic – USDA certification for organic eggs indicate that they are produced by free-range chickens that eat feed free from pesticides and antibiotics.  Other organic certifications have their own standards and can be checked on their web sites.