Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012
Entity Registrant Name	TYSON FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000100493
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	295,517,591
Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	70,017,755