Hawthorne Country Store hosts its annual spring Chick Day on Saturday, March 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Escondido, Fallbrook, and Santee. This complimentary annual celebration will host more than 100 varieties of baby poultry; the event is a great way to learn about raising your own personal backyard flock. Hundreds of families typically attend each year.

With egg prices at all-time highs in Southern California, and no relief in sight, home flocks continue to expand in both rural and urban areas. Hawthorne Country Store’s Chick Day offers an educational opportunity for families to learn about raising chickens at home.

“More and more families are finding that chickens are pets that come with great benefits, such as producing protein, creating fertilizer, and recycling waste,” says Heather Thelen, owner of Hawthorne Country Store. “We are excited to once again bring this event to our communities (Escondido, Fallbrook and Santee) and share all our chicken knowledge.”

There will also be a Peep Show on Friday, March 10 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The $50 charge covers two adults, 21 and over. There will be hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and entertainment. This will give customers the first pick of rare, exotic, and the best egg laying breeds. This unique event sells out every year and is only available for ticket purchasers.

Additionally, Hawthorne Country Store is hosting regular Chicken 101 Workshops. The next one will be Saturday, Feb. 25 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. This afternoon class will be led by our resident chicken expert Heather Thelen. Students will learn about the benefits of backyard chickens, including predator proofing, vector control, biohazard security, egg collection, sanitize, and storage. The class will also provide recommendations to build and supply a family’s first backyard chicken coop. The class is $10, and RSVPs are required.

To purchase Peep Show tickets and access more information, email [email protected], call (760) 746-7816, or visit www.HawthorneCountryStore.com or their FaceBook Events Page.