Device for managing animal traffic

A device for managing animal traffic, the device comprising:

• a milking box comprising a frame;
• an exit gate movably connected with the frame and having an open position in which an animal may exit the box and a closed position in which an animal is prevented from exiting;
• an operating device for opening and closing the gate and comprising an actuator for moving the gate to an at least partially open position;
• a control device controlling the operating device;
• a locking device that is controllable by the control device for mechanically locking the gate to the frame in a closed position of the gate;
• and
• an automatic milking device comprising an end-of-milking determining system for detecting the end of the milking and for supplying to the control device an end-of-milking determining signal for unlocking the locking device.

A method of automatically managing animal traffic using a device for managing animal traffic, the method comprising:

• providing a gate pivotably connected with a frame and locked thereto in a closed position;
• determining whether a particular animal may be allowed to pass the gate;
• automatically unlocking the gate and pivoting the gate by means of an actuator to a partially open position in which the animal is unable to pass the gate unhindered;
• releasing the gate from the actuator;
• allowing the animal to further open the gate against a bias;
• closing the gate once the animal has passed.