BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING (Schedule of Sales by Product Lines) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 2,110,435	$ 2,268,048	$ 2,186,817	$ 2,018,065	$ 2,047,285	$ 2,142,816	$ 2,184,118	$ 2,036,929	$ 2,189,662	$ 2,068,478	$ 1,974,469	$ 1,888,773	$ 8,583,365	$ 8,411,148	$ 8,121,382
U.S. Prepared chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													1,787,389	2,046,747	2,239,289
U.S. Fresh chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													4,703,993	4,123,087	3,583,854
U.S. Export and other chicken by-products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													620,082	715,970	817,723
Total U.S. chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													7,111,464	6,885,804	6,640,866
Mexico chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													900,360	864,454	758,023
Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													8,011,824	7,750,258	7,398,889
U.S. Other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													535,572	614,409	608,619
Mexico Other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													35,969	46,481	113,874
Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													$ 571,541	$ 660,890	$ 722,493