Aphids got my kale

I've been fighting aphids on my purple kale for probably two weeks now.  I read that spraying them with soapy water made them go away.  I tried doing that, and it appeared to work at least on the tops of the plant.  Then tonight I noticed this!  The bottoms of the lower leaves were covered with the things.  I suppose I could have washed them off and eaten the kale, but I didn't think it was worth it.  It was time for this plant to be removed to make room for other stuff. 

So I gave it to the chickens.  They devoured the leaves (and the aphids).

I am disappointed that I didn't get to eat the kale.  However, my chickens got to eat it, and I eat their eggs.  

I win and the aphids lose!