Joey hanging bags have been created by myself with the help and knowledge of many other experienced carers who over the years have come to know exactly what young joeys need in the way of housing. I have never seen a kangaroo doe running around with a pouch the shape of a laundry basket or any other basket. While it’s impossible to replicate mum's pouch exactly, I think with help from a lot of other carers, I have been able to come up with something comfortable, practical and affordable. The hand made bags are all different depending what fabrics are available but I am happy to try and make to order any special request.
The idea of Joeys Hanging Bag is to be joey's safe place, just like mum’s pouch. He lives in it all his pouch life, it’s his and no one else’s. In a room full of joeys with Hanging Bags they all recognise and use their own bag. Because the front of the bag is stiffened thus holding it open, joey learns to come and go as he pleases by tumbling in and out on his own. This helps your joey gain confidence and a sense of belonging. By removing the stiffening front and back, the bag is machine washable.
If you need to take
joey out,
tie the straps together and hang the Bag over the headrest of the car
and then seatbelt him. You can also carry at least 2 bags over your shoulders leaving hands
free for doors etc, always taking care that joey isn’t going to jump
out if he gets a fright (never happened that I know of but always
a first time!). The Hanging Bags should always be hung just above
ground level with sufficient padding in the bottom, ensuring that joey is not going
to bang his head on the floor when he tumbles in.Joey Hanging Bags are also available in a small size. These are ideal for small joeys up to 2 to 2
½ kilos. My
joeys are in these as
soon as they are furred and able to maintain their body
temperature. I believe in getting them hanging rather
than laying
on a flat surface as soon as possible. This way they can stretch
and move about. Have you ever seen a doe’s pouch with a pinkie or
furless in it? It appears to be constantly moving. 
When it’s time for your joeys to start spending some time outdoors, take them out in their bags and hang them under a shady tree or shelter. Eventually when joeys are laying down and sleeping outside at night, you can start to slowly wean them off their bags by gradually reducing the time you leave their bags out for them and then only at night.
By padding out the bag he will fit it when he is small, and then reduce the padding as he grows.
OR see our section on 'Mums'
Mums
Our ‘Mums’ were created by a good friend who passed the idea on to me. Mums are an addition to the joey hanging bags. They are lightly padded and give extra comfort by moulding around the joey thus simulating mum's pouch even more. We have found that a joey who won't stay in a bag alone and persists in jumping in with a mate, (this can always be a danger if the host joey is smaller or easily stressed), will quite happily remain in his own bag once Mum is with him. They also help by reducing the amount of padding necessary when the joey is very small. Mums help to keep hanging bags clean and hygienic. They can also be used to line eskies for pinkies or cat carriers to transport small furred possums for example. They are washable, reversible and are available in warm winter fabrics or cooler cottons. Sizes are available for large and small Hanging Bags.
Feed Bags
These little feed bags assist the joey by making hard feed available to him while he is still in the pouch, just like his real mum would. It also enables him to feed when he wants and not dependant on you doing it. In the past we used to put small plastic bowls in the bags with the joey, but they were forever being knocked over and would end up with squirming joeys laying on scratchy feed. The feed bags are pinned from the outside into the bag in a position that suits the joey. Some like them high, some like them low, some prefer the front etc etc. These are also washable after removing the stiffening. You can use one for dry food and one for small amounts of fresh grasses with roots and sand.
Pouches
I am happy to make pouches to order, but also have standard stock sizes available. Fabrics are flannelette (non-stretch), polar fleece and fleecy and all come with ribbing around the top unless otherwise requested.
There is also a range of ‘Pinkie’ pouches made of very soft fabric that will not shed fibers, plus polar fleece ones to slip them into.