Guinea Pig Hutch - how to open door without them escaping/falling out?

[LePetitPrince]

The kids just got guinea pigs and we can't work how to open the door of their two tier hutch without the piggies falling or jumping out. It's a large two tier hutch so they'd hurt themselves if they decided to run for it in a panic.

The kids are very responsible so are petrified at the thought of it and the adults are no better.. Any ideas?

(They're only settling in right now so are skittish.. Trying to get them used to us before handling too much).

they run away no towards you so you should be fine
one of mine had a bad habit of leaning up on the bars to beg for food. idiot dh opened the cage while he was stood up. yes, he fell out! (he was fine btw). so dont do that!

They will tend to scarper when the door opens - are there two doors (you can put money on the fact that they'll run to the opposite corner )

Maybe 'block' them into one side with a piece of thick cardboard then put another length of card across the doorway (hold in place with your torso or get a helper to hold it?)

We have a wooden barrier across the door of the Pighouse but none of our hogs have attempted to jump out (though GP3 could jump out of the carrybox into the hay, if it suited him)

When we got our two sows they were in a double doored waist height cage and I was scared they'd jump. They were nightmares to catch too (very skittery) I was convinced I wouldn't be allowed to have them if I couldn't even catch them. (But I did )

Push some food through the bars first so they are occupied when you open the door. And I always catch mine in a cardboard box, they can be herded in.