BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING (Schedule of Sales by Product Lines) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	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. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales	$ 1,960,780	$ 2,112,529	$ 2,053,876	$ 2,052,919	$ 2,110,435	$ 2,268,048	$ 2,186,817	$ 2,018,065	$ 2,047,285	$ 2,142,816	$ 2,184,118	$ 2,036,929	$ 8,180,104	$ 8,583,365	$ 8,411,148
Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													7,749,713	8,011,824	7,750,258
Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													430,391	571,541	660,890
United States [Member] | Prepared chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													1,672,693	1,787,389	2,046,747
United States [Member] | Fresh chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													4,701,943	4,703,993	4,123,087
United States [Member] | Export and other chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													358,877	620,082	715,970
United States [Member] | Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													6,733,513	7,111,464	6,885,804
United States [Member] | Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													409,841	535,572	614,409
Mexico [Member] | Total chicken [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													1,016,200	900,360	864,454
Mexico [Member] | Total other products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total net sales													$ 20,550	$ 35,969	$ 46,481