A mallee hen to raise, given time (5-4)

I believe the answer is:

mound-bird

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'a mallee hen' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'raise given time' is the wordplay.
'raise given' becomes 'mound' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'time' becomes 'bird' (both are slang for a prison sentence).
'mound'+'bird'='MOUND-BIRD'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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