Have you tried covering the collards?
Floating row cover (it's like a thin fabric) is pretty good at keeping bugs out, as long as you put it on before any bugs actually get on the plants. Sunlight and water go right through it, so you can just leave it on all season (except for things like...
I just found this thread and read through it-- quite interesting!
You mention all the berries being mostly water, and therefore not very useful as chicken food. I partly disagree with that. If chickens eat a bunch of berries they will drink less from their water dish. That means they might eat...