Compost bin

[jenjen]

Thanks allot. You guys are awesome. My friend said his pallet one he made was his best one

 

[Brelansmama]

I know all the fancy bins work, and they look great, but they are not necessary.
I grew up with a compost 'pile' and that's what I use today.
Literally, that's it....a pile.
I just have a spot in my backyard where I pile all my compostables, then after a few months, fork over the top (the most recent additions) until you find pretty new soil, and start your next pile right next to the old one, where you forked over the top if your last one.
(I hope that makes sense!)

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We have compost piles, too. We needed more capacity, since we used to have sheep, a good sized flock of chickens, a large garden, a heavily wooded yard and acreage. Sheep bedding, chicken litter and leaves can take up a lot of space. We use a lot of plants as a veggie filter in the ponds and some of those go in the compost piles in the fall, too. I even toss my old potting soil in there sometimes. We just have a lot of stuff to compost!

Plus, I also started composting before bins became a trend and were available commercially. Compost piles used to be more common. As Brelansmama said, you don't need a bin to compost. Bins do keep things looking a little tidier, though, especially if you have them close to the house. There are a lot of different materials you can use to make a compost bin out of and they all work. Basically, they just need to contain the materials and most let some air in. I wonder if a google image search for "compost pile" would be helpful for getting a look at a lot of different pictures? I think it really just comes down to what you like the look of, more than anything else. As well as sizing it for your needs.

 

[BeccaOH]

I have one of the those fancy metal bins on a stand that you are supposed to turn (roll by crank) daily to make compost quick. I like that I can collect the compost tea dripping out of the barrel, but I forget to turn it and it can really start smelling.

I think a pile on the ground where bugs can help work on it would be better. I'll probably start one this spring now that I have chicken poo to add in.

 

[GardeNerd]

I have tried many kinds of compost bins and piles on my small suburban lot. I had an expensive black plastic bin that came apart in sections, I have done many piles, I have done the pallet thing, and have used chicken wire in a round shape. Sometimes I have multiple bins, depending on the time of year and how much my yard is producing. This is my current and full time bin and my favorite by far.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/20741_100_1505.jpg
It is just an old city trash bin I got from the trash man. It had a crack in the wheel and they replaced it for the owner. Perfectly good for a compost bin. And I like free recyclable things.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/20741_100_1507.jpg
I cut the bottom off with a saws all. I drilled one inch holes all over it. Then I cut a door in the front of the bottom. This way I can dig out a small amount if I am too lazy to move or turn the whole thing.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/20741_100_1506.jpg
I just keep adding material to the top, turn, and eventually it comes out the bottom. I keep the bottom sealed by wrapping a bungie cord around it. Works good for me. When I am actively caring for the pile and not adding extra, I get compost in about 4 weeks. I can easily reach 160 degrees. When I am lazy, it takes about 3 months. It just sits next to my city trash cans in my side yard. This is why I like it the best; it doesn't have as big a foot print as some of the others I have used. Good luck, composting is fun!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/20741_100_1504.jpg It is also easy to move, since it has wheel on the back.