If you compare two chickens, one pastured and one from a factory farm, you won't find too many real nutritional differences.

The factory chicken may have slightly less Omega-3 in it's fat but it's not a drastic difference (the same goes for beef). Factory farm animals are also more likely to be contaminated with feced (e.coli) and other pathogens like salmonella. I even read a news story today about MRSA in some European milk.

Personally, I think that the main differences fall into the categories of evironment, ethics, and taste.

Pasture-fed animals taste MUCH better, lived happier lives, and support the ecosystem within which they are raised.

Factory farmed animals taste like "blah", suffer for their short-life, and produce tremendous amounts of waste that is likely disposed of in irresponsible ways.

If you're faced with factory hickens only I'd say eat the white meat only and skip the fat. THe omega six content is a real issue with the dark meat and skin so stick with skinless breasts if it's a factory bird.

Honestly, other than higher fat content of animals which are grain fed while kept in a small "keeping" area like with feed lots, modern chicken farms, there really isn't much difference in quality. Animals eat grains and turn the grains into meat...we eat the meat. No matter what they eat...it's still meat.

If you need Kosher, sorry, that's something I know very little about. I didn't even know there was such a thing as Kosher chicken. Isn't Kosher about the cleanliness and manner of slaughter, not the way it's fed?

I eat more like Primal than Paleo...so I don't worry about things like fat content. Since I gave up the low fat, high carb, grain fed lifestyle...I'm the leanest I've ever been, the healthiest I've ever been, and my lab work shows it...so does the lack of new MS symptoms.

Kosher chicken is a joke, from Paleo perspective. Pastured chicken is far healthier. I hear you, though, about the cost. If you buy from a store like Whole Foods, prepare to pay through the nose. Many people on this list should be able to help you source more affordable options. As for non-pastured chicken, I'll eat it, but only sparingly.

I am on a tight budget now (we both got laid off from work so money is strap for sure) so I just stick to conventional chicken and just like mentioned above, I stick to lean cut skinless breasts and bought more lamb and beef (lean cut) and eggs.

Not pastured/grassfed/organic, but at least I do myself a lot of favor by not eating junks like McDonalds and grains/gluten and other processed craps. No need to worry about it if it's not in your budget. Just do what you feel comfortable.

Chris kresser opened my eyes to this. He states that the omega 6 content in conventional chicken, especially the dark meat and skin is very high. There, we I can't get pastorate chicken I choose beef. On occasion we I am out to eat I will get chicken but I have to know that chicken is going to be damn good!