Crossword Genius

Poor hen shifting - one's likely to lay an egg (2-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

no-hoper

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'one's likely to lay an egg' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'poor hen shifting' is the wordplay.
'shifting' is an anagram indicator.
'poor'+'hen'='poorhen'
'poorhen' anagrammed gives 'NO-HOPER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for no-hoper that I've seen before include "One with little chance of success?" , "Useless person" , "One not expected to succeed" , "One has nil chance of success" , "Lost cause" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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