Exhibit 23





                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in Post Effective  Amendment No. 1
to Registration  Statement (Form S-8 No.  33-67474)  pertaining to the Sanderson
Farms,  Inc. and  Affiliates  Stock Option Plan of our report dated  December 7,
2000 with  respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedule of
Sanderson  Farms,  Inc.  included in the Annual  Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended October 31, 2000.

                                                          /s/Ernst & Young LLP

Jackson, Mississippi
January 22, 2001