Model checks-in for The Hens (8)
I believe the answer is:
chickens
'the hens' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'model checks-in' is the wordplay.
'model' is an anagram indicator.
'checks'+'in'='checksin'
'checksin' anagrammed gives 'CHICKENS'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for chickens that I've seen before include "Domestic fowl" , "Hens" , "Young fowl" , "Farmyard birds" , "farmyard animals?" .)