Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] boe	Sep. 29, 2012 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Jan. 21, 2011 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Jan. 21, 2011 Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] Valero Energy Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage										50.00%	50.00%
Joint Venture Potential Barrels Of Fuel Per Day								9,300
Line of Credit Facility, Term								14 years
Term loan facility						$ 221,300,000		$ 221,300,000
Darling's total contributions for constructing and funding Joint Venture						111,700,000		111,700,000
Investment in the joint venture	116,250,000		116,250,000		62,495,000	116,300,000		116,300,000
Loss from equity method investments	$ (11,953,000)	$ 833,000	$ (8,796,000)	$ 1,725,000		$ (12,000,000)	$ 800,000	$ (8,800,000)	$ 1,700,000