Cheap but effective exterior supports

[iPardalis]

The 36" cage was my first attempt at this, but the larger 48" enclosure is how I will do it from now on.

1. Get five 2x1 8' untreated boards at the hardware store (mine were $2.50 each)
2. Ask for 48" pieces (5) and 23.5" pieces (6)
3. Attach the long pieces on the outside of the enclosure
   • Drill a spy hole in the aluminum frame before screwing them in
4. Put the 23.5" pieces on the inside and screw them in from the exterior
5. You can screw large horizontal branches directly into these cross supports and use them instead of the screen to prop up other diagonal branches

I've found this trick to be incredibly easy to customize, and it takes the load off the screen. I'm not an incredibly talented wood worker, and the total project cost came to about $50, must of which was for the branches on the inside.