Anaerobic decay, the major process of odour generation, is inhibited if moisture content is kept below 40 percent. Grade the farmstead to avoid standing water. Direct clean water away from manure piles. Check regularly for leaks from drinking water supplies - especially in chicken and turkey broiler barns. Ensure the ventilation systems are in good working order.
Good ventilation helps to keep barns dry.
Therefore, most odour control methods are designed to keep or dissipate odours within the farm boundary, thus minimizing odour complaints from surrounding neighbours. Odours from solid manure, that is, manure below 75 to 80 percent moisture content, generally do not generate complaints. However, excessive moisture in solid manure can cause odours because it creates anaerobic conditions. For liquid manure storages the intensity of odours generated increases in direct proportion with the amount of top surface area. A covered manure storage generates almost no odours.