INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 952,191	$ 950,296
Chicken Inventories Live Chicken and Hens [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	418,234	405,335
Chicken Inventories Feed Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	291,009	307,500
Chicken Inventories Finished Chicken Products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	242,608	237,159
Chicken Inventories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	951,851	949,994
Commercial Feed Table Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 340	$ 302