Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Gross Sales to Net Sales (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										$ 3,419,400	$ 2,883,800	$ 2,870,300
Commissions										(11,200)	(10,900)	(11,000)
Sales and Customer Allowances										(31,500)	(29,400)	(28,400)
Other	[1]									(34,500)	(27,400)	(27,400)
Net Sales		$ 919,941	$ 931,901	$ 802,038	$ 688,346	$ 790,811	$ 727,991	$ 692,089	$ 605,166	3,342,226	2,816,057	2,803,480
Fresh Ice Packed Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										585,000	438,500	399,100
Commissions										(4,300)	(4,200)	(4,100)
Sales and Customer Allowances										(15,600)	(14,100)	(12,800)
Other	[1]									(18,000)	(13,500)	(13,500)
Net Sales										547,100	406,700	368,700
Chill Pack Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										1,061,100	999,900	1,057,600
Commissions										(4,600)	(4,400)	(4,600)
Sales and Customer Allowances										(5,600)	(5,700)	(6,500)
Other	[1]									(6,200)	(5,600)	(5,300)
Net Sales										1,044,700	984,200	1,041,200
Frozen Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										224,500	144,000	178,300
Commissions										0	0	(100)
Sales and Customer Allowances										0	0	0
Other	[1]									(600)	(500)	(600)
Net Sales										223,900	143,500	177,600
Fresh Vacuum Sealed Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										1,359,800	1,085,700	1,010,600
Commissions										(1,500)	(1,900)	(1,700)
Sales and Customer Allowances										(9,900)	(9,400)	(9,000)
Other	[1]									(9,300)	(7,500)	(7,700)
Net Sales										1,339,100	1,066,900	992,200
Minimally Prepared Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										172,400	186,000	187,700
Commissions										(800)	(400)	(500)
Sales and Customer Allowances										(400)	(200)	(100)
Other	[1]									(400)	(300)	(300)
Net Sales										170,800	185,100	186,800
Mechanically Deboned Chicken
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Gross Sales										16,600	29,700	37,000
Commissions										0	0	0
Sales and Customer Allowances										0	0	0
Other	[1]									0	0	0
Net Sales										$ 16,600	$ 29,700	$ 37,000

[1] Other deductions include short weights, miscellaneous deductions, credit memos, rebates and other items.