INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 837,333	$ 808,832
Live Chicken and Hens [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	397,300	368,582
Feed, Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	224,139	216,045
Finished Chicken Products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	215,386	223,932
Chicken Inventories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	836,825	808,559
Commercial Feed and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 508	$ 273