we don't usually let the chickens into the garden during the growing season, since they're so destructive to plants, but you're right. i should let the turkeys out - they do less harm to the plants since they don't scratch, and they love chasing bugs. and hopefully eating them. the birds are loose in the barnyard most days, and sometimes the front field (which is "behind" ie west, of the barnyard, the garden is east of it) but could stand to actually be allowed in the garden.

one thing i would/will do differently next time, will be to fence the garden instead of the birds. birds need strong coops of course, but also more room to run around than they get here, and access to the perimeter of the garden for pest control.