                        Exhibit 99

Gold Kist Inc.                             -- Contact -
P.O. Box 2210                             Karla Harvill
Atlanta, GA 30301                       (770) 393-5091


  Gold Kist Inc. Announces $200 Million Offering of Senior
                            Notes

Atlanta, GA, February 19, 2004 - Gold Kist Inc. announced
today that it is seeking to raise up to $200 million through
an institutional private placement of senior notes due in
2014.

In connection with the proposed offering, the company is in
the process of amending its credit facilities to, among
other things, permit the issuance of these notes.  The
offering is expected to close in March 2004, subject to
market conditions.

The company intends to use the proceeds of the offering to
refinance senior credit facilities and repay certain term
loans, to pay expenses incurred in connection with this
offering and the amendment of the senior credit facilities
and for general corporate purposes.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell, nor
a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these notes.  The
notes subject to the proposed private placement have not
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any state securities laws, and are being offered
only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of
the Securities Act and to non-U.S. persons under Regulation
S of the Securities Act.  Unless so registered, the notes
may not be offered or sold in the United States except
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

                            # # #

This news release contains "forward-looking statements"
regarding the proposed private placement.  These forward-
looking statements involve a number of risks and
uncertainties.  Among the important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated in
such forward-looking statements include uncertainties
relating to market conditions for corporate debt securities
generally, for the securities of poultry companies and for
the notes being offered by the company in particular.

15941

