BROILER-FRYER AND ROASTER: The bird you most often encounter in the supermarket is a 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-pound chicken known as a broiler-fryer. Roasters are older birds and therefore bigger, about 5 pounds, and fattier; often they have a more "chickeny" flavor.

FREE RANGE: These chickens are free to roam outdoors instead of being confined indoors in small cages. They tend to be more flavorful.

KOSHER: Chickens are slaughtered according to the rules of Jewish dietary law. Kosher birds are saltier than nonkosher birds because of the way they are processed.

NATURAL: These chickens do not contain any artificial flavorings, colorings, chemical preservatives, or other synthetic ingredients. There is minimal processing (such as freezing or drying). "Natural" chickens, however, may be exposed to antibiotics and growth enhancers.

ORGANIC: Chickens eat organic feed that is grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. No drugs or antibiotics are used.