INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 911,086	$ 950,296
Chicken Inventories Live Chicken and Hens [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	420,644	405,335
Chicken Inventories Feed Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	244,250	307,500
Chicken Inventories Finished Chicken Products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	245,939	237,159
Chicken Inventories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	910,833	949,994
Commercial Feed Table Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 253	$ 302