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. 29, 2013		Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012		Sep. 23, 2012	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011		Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Mar. 27, 2011	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Total net sales	$ 2,047,285	[1]	$ 2,142,816	$ 2,184,118	$ 2,036,929	$ 2,189,662	[2]	$ 2,068,478	$ 1,974,469	$ 1,888,773	$ 1,829,308	[3]	$ 1,891,224	$ 1,922,690	$ 1,892,476	$ 8,411,148	$ 8,121,382	$ 7,535,698
U.S. Prepared Chicken [Member]
Total net sales																2,046,747	2,239,289	2,135,337
U.S. Fresh Chicken [Member]
Total net sales																4,123,087	3,583,854	3,160,429
U.S. Export and Other Chicken by Products [Member]
Total net sales																715,970	817,723	808,038
Total U.S. Chicken [Member]
Total net sales																6,885,804	6,640,866	6,103,804
Mexico Chicken [Member]
Total net sales																864,454	758,023	720,333
Total Chicken [Member]
Total net sales																7,750,258	7,398,889	6,824,137
U.S. Other Products [Member]
Total net sales																614,409	608,619	674,923
Mexico Other Products [Member]
Total net sales																46,481	113,874	36,638
Total Other Products [Member]
Total net sales																$ 660,890	$ 722,493	$ 711,561

[1] In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recognized expenses related to the shutdown of our Dallas plant of $.5 million and asset impairment charges of $.5 million.

[2] In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recognized expenses related to the shutdown of our Dallas plant of $1.1 million and asset impairment charges of $1.4 million.

[3] In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company recognized restructuring charges of $14.6 million, asset impairment charges of $11.3 million and net gains on derivative financial instruments of $3.1 million.