Crossword Genius

Grey looking, like a chook (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ashen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'grey looking' is the definition.
'ashen' can be an answer for 'grey' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'looking' bit.

'a chook' is the wordplay.
'chook' becomes 'shen' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'shen'='ASHEN'

'like' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ashen that I've seen before include "showing signs of anaemia" , "pale in colour" , "Visibly shocked" , "(Of face) pale (with shock)" , "Like bird" .)

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