MikeCT wrote:
My parents kept chickens, ducks and goats. All the manure, including the
straw bedding was left to 'mature' in a very large pit for at least two
years.

Mine usually gets used up with copious quantities of grass mowings and
shredded things. Works a treat in the veg beds.
But now I am in danger of having a garden full of compost heaps, up
with which the domestic staff will not put !

grass snakes used it and the warmth as an ideal home for their eggs.
The snakes too grew into large specimens and

Yep, we have those, gives one a nasty turn upon first discovering them
and adders as well

had sharp fangs!

Eeek ! Do they really !!
I never stopped long enough to ask,
Big steps backwards rapidly !