something's been munching on my peas!

I planted peas and mangetout on my allotment about three/four weeks ago and the little seedlings sprang up no problem with all the wonderful weather we've been having.  Unfortunately, I did neglect them (totally my fault) and did not water them as regularly as I should have done, given the hot weather, and a lot of them have died off.     Those that have survived however, seem to have been a buffet for visiting rabbit or deer recently which is most annoying!

My question is - can I start them off in pots at home (where I am arguably much more attentive!) and replant on the plot when ready?  And - do I need to cover my peas with netting too?

Most of my peas haven't even come up  Could it be mice I wonder? If it was mice would there be obvious mice-like signs? - I have never had this problem before but there are no signs of digging or anything like that 

Thanks to all for the replies.  I only suspected it was rabbits or deer because there was a nice little group of brown 'presents' left near my raspberries!! :blink:

I'm going to get some enviromesh and hopefully that will do the trick! - that and my remembering to water them!!!