David in Normandy wrote:
If I put the chard out with no protection, will they survive, or will I come
home to find pink skeletons?

I've grown Swiss Chard for a number of years. Generally it is pest free,
though sometimes slugs and caterpillars will attack it. However, given a
preference brassicas are much more likely to be eaten the the adjacent
chard left untouched. Even pigeons seem to dislike it.

Excellent, the chance of the chard making it onto the newly-weeded patch has
just increased!

Thank you