Using Leyland Cypress as a Visual and Psychological Buffer Against Poultry Farm Odors

Q: I need good news about mitigating smell from a chicken farm up the road. We moved to a small piece of land last year. Next door has 30 cattle—we love them... but not the chicken farm. As new kids, we're not comfortable confronting them. Smell gets very bad. Would a thick row of Leyland Cypress help?

I think Leylands are a good idea. They might not physically block much odor but give good psychological blockage—and that can be important.

Farmers don't want to be bad neighbors but want to use land per local rules. Fortunately, ways exist to mitigate litter odors. I have publications on poultry odor management:

• Coexisting With Your Neighbors – A Poultry Farmer's Guide
• Odor Control at Poultry Facilities
• Facts For County Planners – Zoning and Poultry Production
• Nuisance Myths and Poultry Farming