**Annual Peep Show offers large selection of chick breeds for backyard chickens**

Hawthorne Country Store hosts its annual spring Chicktopia Peep Show on Saturday, March 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Escondido, Fallbrook and Santee. This annual celebration will host more than 115 varieties of baby poultry and will practice all necessary COVID safety and social distancing measures.

As the slow food movement continues to gain ground in Southern California, home flocks continue to expand in the hearts and yards of Southern Californians in both rural and urban areas. Hawthorne Country Store’s Chicktopia 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 bring this unique event to Escondido, Fallbrook and Santee in a safe socially distant way.”

Hundreds of families attend annually to expand chicken flocks and poultry knowledge. This year, attendees will receive a chicken goodie bag and their first five regularly priced vaccinated chicks (or value thereof) to get started.

All guests/families from the same household, or pod, will need to register in advance. Each reservation group will receive an expert “chick-picker” to assist and educate throughout the visit.

This unique event is only available for ticket purchasers that reserve a specific time to enter Chicktopia. The Peep Show follows all COVID-19 protocols, outlined by county and state, that includes social-distancing, handwashing, and mask wearing.

To purchase tickets and access more information, visit:

Santee (10845 Woodside Ave, Santee, CA 92071): https://buff.ly/2KvNgCe

Fallbrook (2762 S Mission Rd, Fallbrook, CA 92028): https://buff.ly/2K4VTnz

Escondido (675 W Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025): https://buff.ly/37s6lhv

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Hawthorne Country Store is a family-owned and -operated business with locations in Escondido, Fallbrook and Santee. With three generations of families eager to offer their expertise, the store provides a variety of quality pet, equestrian, livestock, gardening, home food preservation, western lifestyle clothing and home décor offerings. They provide useful and unique products to meet the growing agrarian lifestyle in both rural and urban environments.