Volatile components in poultry manure were isolated by freeze vacuum distillation and continuous extraction, and 72 compounds were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Branched alipathic alcohols, many esters, dimethyl trisulphide and alkanamides were detected for the first time. Carboxylic acids, sulphides, alkanamides, phenols and indoles were formed during rotting. Judging from the ratio of concentration to the threshold value (detectable amount of odour) of each component detected in poultry manure, the most important odorous components were butyric acid, 3-methylbutyric acid, dimethyl trisulphide, indole and skatole.