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Providence's state covers Russian hen (5,6,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rhode island red

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

'hen' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'providence's state covers russian' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'state' could be 'rhodeisland' (Rhode Island is an example) and 'rhodeisland' is found within the answer.
'russian' could be 'red' and 'red' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rhode island red that I've seen before include "Fowl" , "American Communist" , "possible victim of battery" , "Chicken breed" , "New England communist" .)

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