Our very first ferret cage was made from wood, hail screen and had a
plexiglass front.
 
A total plexiglass cage would not allow enough air circulation and should
not be used.
 
Now back to our cage.  I found the plexiglass door was constantly smeared
with everything, noses, feet, food, ummm other stuff.  It was difficult to
keep clean and it smelled.
 
The cage design was a good idea we thought and would have been without the
plexiglass door.  We still have the cage and use it as needed.  But for
normal caging we use the cat condo cage, ferret wire cages (with carpeting
or linoleum on bare wire).
 
The best cage was a home-made 2 level wood and wire cage.  We framed with
wood (the door two) and used 2x4 sheets of plywood covered with contact
paper (easy to clean or change design) as removable floors (could be pulled
out and sprayed down in the tub or outside).  We had a front door and should
have put a side door in too as it was a little awkward to clean without
removing the shelves.
 
Another wood and wire cage has a top area that is all wood for a 6" deep
sleeping loft.  We (well the ferrets do) use a ferret staircase to get up to
the level and the top opens completely to clean.  I keep the top cracked
open about an inch for air flow and this is the most favorite sleeping place
of all.  Dark and cozy.
 
To keep the wood from absorbing odors and stains you can coat it with
polyurethane BEFORE building.  :-)
 
Hope this is helpful.  Hugs to all. tle
[Posted in FML issue 2005]