INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 778,528	$ 801,357
Live Chicken and Hens [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	370,161	365,062
Feed, Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	217,571	215,859
Finished Chicken Products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	181,983	191,988
Chicken Inventories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	769,715	772,909
Commercial Feed and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 8,813	$ 28,448