BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING (Schedule of Sales by Product Lines) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2016	Sep. 25, 2016	Jun. 26, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 25, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 1,908,150	$ 2,031,721	$ 2,028,315	$ 1,962,937	$ 1,960,780	$ 2,112,529	$ 2,053,876	$ 2,052,919	$ 2,110,435	$ 2,268,048	$ 2,186,817	$ 2,018,065	$ 7,931,123	$ 8,180,104	$ 8,583,365
Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													7,455,618	7,749,713	8,011,824
Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													475,505	430,391	571,541
United States [Member] | Prepared chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													1,269,010	1,672,693	1,787,389
United States [Member] | Fresh chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													4,627,137	4,701,943	4,703,993
United States [Member] | Export and other chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													313,827	358,877	620,082
United States [Member] | Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													6,209,974	6,733,513	7,111,464
United States [Member] | Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													461,429	409,841	535,572
Mexico [Member] | Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													1,245,644	1,016,200	900,360
Mexico [Member] | Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													$ 14,076	$ 20,550	$ 35,969