We cannot emphasize this enough.
Domestic Poultry is SAFE. But don't leave it thawing on the kitchen counter for a week before cooking it.
The reason I am leary of Free Range birds is because of the possibility of them being infected by the feces of migrating birds which might be infected with AF. That's not to say all migrating birds are carriers, only that the potential is there.
I am in complete agreement with you.
Another place to avoid regarding poultry purchases would be the live markets. I don't know about anywhere else, but I am aware of them in NYC and parts of NJ.
The last outbreak of AF on DelMarVa (2004 in Delaware and Maryland) was traced directly to one in NYC. I don't remember all the exact specifics, but apparently a small time grower, not affiliated with the big boys (Tyson, Perdue, etc) became contaminated while either buying or selling and brought it back to Delaware. Unbeknownst to anyone he obviously had contact with at least one, if not 2, contract growers from the big boys.
Flocks on 3 different farms were destroyed and the industry basically went into total lockdown on the peninsula until the all clear was given.
Any and all concerns regarding the AF in this region (I'm sure it is the same in other poultry regions) is currently primarily that of economics, as opposed to mutation to humans.