The head of Tyson Foods Inc. (TSN) said Wednesday that its chicken business was running "a little bit soft," though pork and beef were running well.

Leland Tollett, interim president and CEO, told an industry conference that business was in line with internal forecasts as it nears the end of its fiscal fourth quarter.

"I like the way things are shaping up," said Tollett.

Tyson is the largest U.S. meat processor by revenue, and chicken is its highest-margin operation, ahead of beef and pork.

Like rivals, Tyson has been navigating through an explosive mix of industry oversupply, high input costs and export restrictions.

Donnie King, group vice-president, was optimistic about the chicken segment.

"It appears that the industry is demonstrating some supply-side discipline," he said.

-By Doug Cameron, Dow Jones Newswires; 312-750-4135; doug.cameron@dowjones.com