Birds pulling onion sets

[LjTricky]

Hey all,

Took a trip to the allotment after work today and it appears a few of my onions have been pulled by birds. I gently firmed them back into the ground and was wondering if the root disturbance would have hampered their growth or even finished them off. Theres about 1-2 inch of root growth on them and they've only been out the ground no more than half a day. I'm being very neurotic I know but I've formed a close bond with these onions!!

Many thanks

Lewis

[nickdub]

".... I've formed a close bond with these onions!! "

I'd suggest some sort of urgent therapy, but I fear its already too late for you - as for the onions, they'll be fine :-)

[SarrissUK]

The birds don't tend to do damage to the onions, but left on the surface for a few days they soon dry out.

Your bond with your onions are not going to be hurt just yet

[mcdood]

As Sarriss and Nickdub have said they'll be fine. You can start them in modules in future years if it becomes a real problem or for this year cover with some mesh/net until the roots take hold.
I fear the worse for your close bond though if your site has allium leaf miner, might be worth asking around?
My relationship with my onions last year was quite ambivalent but I needed counselling following the leaf miner destruction :-)

[Thelma Sanders]

When planting, I cover mine with debris netting for a couple of weeks, 'til they are firmly rooted, then the birds can't pull them out.
We had leaf miner one year, but not had it since. I really don't fancy covering half the plot in enviromesh - so sure hope it doesn't become a regular thing!

[fishpond]

I do not think it is anything to do with birds, I believe it is the roots pushing the onions out of the ground.
If you are neurotic now, what are you going to be like when you eat them?

[nickdub]

I do not think it is anything to do with birds, I believe it is the roots pushing the onions out of the ground.

If its roots then the onions will just rise up a bit - if its birds, then the sets will be tossed all over the place.

[Squingy]

Another vote for the onions just pushing themselves up, birds might leave beak marks.
To protect seeds from birds I lay cheap fabric mesh, like what you can get 45p/metre on ground or wrap over trays outside. Didn't expect it to last in the sun but I'm onto my third year and they're still fine. I wouldn't hammer down on anything though.

[nickdub]

:-) the birds don't leave beak marks because they pull the sets up using the withered brown leaves at the top to hold them, I've watched them do it occasionally - not sure why, possibly its to do with looking for nest building materials.

[Muddy_Boots]

Its been widely observed that the birds do this behavior mainly early in the season because they think there will be a reward when they pull them out. They are hoping there will be a worm, grub or some other tasty morsel at the other end.

I've had them this year pulling out my emerging Broad Bean seedlings that are just showing their heads above the soil and leaving them on the surface which is curtains for them. At the end of last year they destroyed the whole row of winter Broad Beans bar one plant doing this. This year I've re-sown them and lost 4 until I protected them with the Black Cotton method I use for peas and now they have been left alone by the Jackdaws who are the main culprits.

[Snadger]

Its been widely observed that the birds do this behavior mainly early in the season because they think there will be a reward when they pull them out. They are hoping there will be a worm, grub or some other tasty morsel at the other end.

I've had them this year pulling out my emerging Broad Bean seedlings that are just showing their heads above the soil and leaving them on the surface which is curtains for them. At the end of last year they destroyed the whole row of winter Broad Beans bar one plant doing this. This year I've re-sown them and lost 4 until I protected them with the Black Cotton method I use for peas and now they have been left alone by the Jackdaws who are the main culprits.

My broadies met a similar fate and I have one plant from four rows and two varieties. I didn't know what had scuppered them but I do now.
I have new broadies to sow but will either sow them in modules or cover them with debri netting. The debri netting I have over my spring cabbage will do as they are now big enough that the pigeons shouldn't bother them.