Pilgrim's Pride Corp. on Friday said it would idle two of its chicken processing plants within 60 to 75 days as it continues to work to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

The company, which is reorganizing under bankruptcy protection, said it would shutter its plant in Athens, Ala., and one of two plants in Athens, Ga.

Production from the Alabama plant will be consolidated into two other Pilgrim's Pride complexes, bringing those facilities to full capacity.

A hatchery in Moulton, Ala., a feed mill in Falkville, Ala., and other live production operations associated with the Athens plant will continue to operate.

Pilgrim's Pride said it expects to offer positions at other facilities to many of the 640 employees who work at the Alabama plant.

Production from the company's Athens, Ga., plant on Oneta Street will be consolidated at the neighboring Barber Street plant and several other company complexes in north Georgia. The live production operations, including hatcheries and feed mills, will continue to operate.

Pilgrim's Pride expects to be able to offer positions to most of the approximately 330 employees at the Oneta St. location by the time the plant is idled, it said.

The company said it does not expect any significant reduction in the number of Pilgrim's Pride contract growers in either Athens, Ala., or Athens, Ga.

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