Animal management system

A method for directing the flow of animals within a confinement alley, the confinement alley having a base frame with a first side section, a second side section and a front end defining the confinement alley therebetween, a headgate mounted with the front end, and at least one access door pivotably mounted to the first side section of the base frame, the method comprising the steps of:

• directing a plurality of animals into the confinement alley;
• entrapping a first animal in the headgate;
• rotating one of the at least one access door to a closed position obstructing the alley and pinning the first animal within the alley between the headgate and the rotated access door;
• rotating the access door from the closed position to a partially opened position obstructing the alley to a lesser degree than in the closed position;
• releasing the first animal from the headgate;
• rotating the access door from the partially opened position to a fully opened position substantially not obstructing the alley;
• entrapping a second animal in the headgate;
• and
• rotating the access door in the fully opened position to a closed position obstructing the alley and pinning the second animal within the alley between the headgate and the access door.