We have two compost heaps
One gets used in the Polytunnel, so that gets all the kitchen waste plus some bedding from the chicken coop (the rest goes on the muck heap).
The second is just for getting rid of nasty stuff like cat litter and things the cat dragged in. It's in an area of the garden well away from anywhere we'll ever grow things. The idea is that that pile can take as long as it wants to rot down, and we'll never use the result for anything - it's just for reducing what we send to landfill. We also put potato peelings in there, to be on the safe side.
I did see a nice system once that you might want to consider Bloomer. There were three open fronted square bins next to each other (could be made from pallets), with adjustable retaining planks across the front of each. The idea was that compost was turned over from chamber A => B => C, and was then ready for use in the garden. However, the open front meant that the hens could get in and scratch about in there for bugs, which accelerated the composting.
I heard a Gardners Question Time once where the panel were asked "What's the difference between good compost and bad compost?" The reply was "There's no such thing. Either it's good compost or it's not compost at all!"
I have three quesitons for you all though:
1) Eggshells - yes or no? Ours never really seem to break down properly, so we end up with lovely compost with bits of shell right through it. Is this still a good thing, or is it just making a mess?
2) Covered - yes or no? I've read that heaps should be left so the rain can get at them to keep them moist. However, I've also read that this washes all the nutrients out of the compost. What do you all do?
3) Does anyybody use a
Green Cone? Does it actually work, or is it just a magnet for vermin?