Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Earnings Per Share, Basic And Diluted) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$ 210	$ 168	$ 462	$ 340
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3)	11	(5)	6
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Tyson	213	157	467	334
Undistributed earnings	188	140	408	261
Stock options and restricted stock	6	5	5	5
Convertible 2013 Notes	0	8	0	5
Warrants	7	0	8	0
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions	356	366	355	364
Net Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson - Diluted	$ 0.60	$ 0.43	$ 1.32	$ 0.92
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Diluted	$ 0.60	$ 0.26	$ 1.32	$ 0.74
Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Less Dividends Declared:	20	14	48	60
Undistributed earnings	153	114	332	213
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	273	283	272	284
Net Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$ 0.64	$ 0.45	$ 1.40	$ 0.96
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$ 0.64	$ 0.27	$ 1.40	$ 0.77
Class B [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Line Items]
Less Dividends Declared:	5	3	11	13
Undistributed earnings	$ 35	$ 26	$ 76	$ 48
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	70	70	70	70
Net Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$ 0.58	$ 0.40	$ 1.26	$ 0.86
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson - Basic	$ 0.58	$ 0.25	$ 1.26	$ 0.70