[ashy]

 :(can anyone help me out there i have caulis and cabbage planted out without anysign of trouble for some time now then all of a sudden both have been attacked by some angel of death and took huge chunks out of a lot of stock can find no sign of slug or snails trails have checked all areas for sign of them to no avail likewise no signs of caterpillers on any  leaves in short i am stumped could it be bird attacks as i have onion sets planted nearby and have had some damage to them from birds have netted and put down organic slug deterrent but still seem to be having problems. losing lots of plants but remaing ones still growing strongly so dont think its disease please help

[Nikkithefoot]

If they are not covered then it is likely birds have been helping themselves. Brassicas need to be covered to protect from birds and cabbage white butterflies, otherwise you will have nothing left for you to eat.

[gillian62]

I have had the same problem with swiss chard and kohl rabi leaves.  I thought it was slugs, but realised that the damage was too great.  So have covered them to keep the birds away and this seems to have solved the problem.

The only thing is that you see pictures of lovely big allotments with all crops on show, whereas in practice to keep everything protected about half your crops are covered up.

[sunshineband]

Yes you do end up with a lot covered if you actually want to eat it yourself 

[merky587]

Sounds like pigeons. I have had the same issue on ours and a pigeon recewntly left feathers in a protected area.