If you are somewhat handy with tools, then making your own cages can be a money-saving and rewarding. Though I am not a great carpenter, and I don't make much else with wood, I do enjoy making cages.
Below are some I've made
Three-level cavy condo
Description: This one I made with my sister for her Teddies. The front door open, as well as the side doors. The plastic tubs slide out the side door for easy access. This is a much less refined version of June's Cavy Condos, which gave us the idea for this. Hers are much nicer :)
Best used for: We keep one pig or a breeding pair per level.
Price: It cost around $50 to make, but some of that cost was because we didn't exactly know what we were doing :P
Durability/construction: Well, it is very sturdy due to that fact that it's made of 2x4's, and has held together very well. We made it around late 2005.
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Graze cage/sow run
Description: The bottom of this is made of chicken wire so that the pigs could graze and be fully protected from animals and the elements. I cover it with a sheet or puppy pee pee pads, and shavings over that. It measures 6'x2', and the loft area is 2'x2'. The wood pieces on the top provide shade below, and the loft offers shelter in case the ground is wet.
Best used for: I keep an average of 2-5 pigs in it, usually young show animals or sows that are going into breeding. The room and ramp for them to run around conditions them. Lately I have been using it as a cage for breeding trios.
Price: It cost about $50 to make.
Durability/construction: This was easier to make than the condo. So far it has held up great, though I learned the hard way and switched some of the nails for screws.
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Big Sow Run
Description: This is the biggest cage I've ever made. It is roughly 28-30 sq. feet total. It was made out of an old bed frame; the base is the bed frame, and the hay loft is one of the drawers. The door holes are where the drawers used to go. There is a hay loft, carpeted 'run', drinking area and eating area. The bottom has a metal pan and the bottom and loft are lined with linoleum stick-on sheets. It's pretty easy to clean for such a large cage and was relatively inexpensive. Since C&C cages don't cut it for me I make sturdy, animal-proof cages like this one.
Best used for: The number in this cage varies from 4-9 cavies. Usually the pigs kept here are sows getting into condition for showing/breeding, or mommies and their newly-weaned babies. There's plenty of space for everyone, and it's fun to watch them run around :)
Price: Not exactly sure since I used a lot of scraps, but probably in the neighborhood of $50.
Durability/construction: Very sturdy. This cage sits on top of a heavy-duty utility table that supports it nicely. The one drawback of this cage is that it is HEAVY. I can not move it by myself :S
