Egg-laying mother

HEN

This farmyard bird is known for her clucking and often tends a brood in a coop. She’s also the female counterpart to a rooster.

The clue "Egg-laying mother" points to a female bird known for producing eggs, which is a hen. It’s straightforward with no wordplay—just a direct description of what a hen does. In farming or everyday language, hens are the most common example of a bird that lays eggs and is often called a "mother" to her chicks.