Patent ID: 6981470

Claim:
An in ovo injection apparatus, comprising: an egg carrier that holds a plurality of eggs and provides external access to the eggs; a plurality of injection devices positioned above the carrier, wherein each injection device is configured to contact a respective egg in the carrier and deliver a predetermined dosage of a treatment substance into the egg and/or remove material from the egg; and an egg support assembly positioned beneath the carrier that is configured to solidly support each egg in the carrier during contact therewith by a respective injection device and to prevent each egg from being pushed downwardly into the carrier by a respective injection device wherein the egg support assembly comprises: a frame movable between an operative position and a retracted position; a plate attached to the frame and comprising an array of openings formed therein; and a plurality of pedestals, each pedestal removably and snugly secured within a respective one of the openings, wherein each pedestal comprises a free end portion configured to engage an egg within the carrier when the frame is in the operative position.