Abstract: A method of milking animals and cleaning at least a part of a milking device for milking animals, such as cows, is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of connecting at least one teat cup to a teat of an animal to be milked, milking the animal, cleaning at least a part of the milking device that has come into contact with the animal and/or with the milk from the animal, the very first cleaning step comprising cleaning and/or disinfecting said part of the milking device with steam, and a further cleaning step comprising treating with a fluid at least that part of the milking device that has been treated with steam.

Abstract: A management system for domesticated animals, such as cows, which comprises an animal identification system, a central unit provided with a computer which has a memory. The memory contains for each animal of the herd data which relates to the animal's position or status in the hierarchic order of the herd. The memory also contains data for each animal relating to its jostling behavior. This management is used in an automated system wherein procedures such as feeding and milking are performed on animals of the herd. The position or status of each animal in the hierarchic order of the herd is determined and the data thereof are stored in the memory. At least one of the procedures affecting each animal in the herd is governed, at least in part, by data in the memory relating to the animal's status or position in the hierarchic order of the herd and also by data concerning the animal's jostling behavior.

Abstract: A milking device and method for removing a teat cup from a teat of an animal are disclosed. The teat cup has a teat space for containing a teat and is connected via a milk tube to a vacuum source for generating a milking vacuum. A drawing-away device is provided for drawing the teat cup away from the animal only after a vacuum-lowering device has lowered the milking vacuum in the teat space below a threshold value. The level of vacuum may be measured by means of a vacuum sensor.

Abstract: A fluid-applying device for applying a fluid to a teat of a dairy animal. The fluid-applying device comprises a fluid detector for determining a fluid application pattern of the fluid on the teat of the dairy animal. The fluid detector comprises a computer loaded with comparing software for comparing the determined fluid application pattern with a previously stored reference criterion, for emitting a comparison signal which is indicative of the comparison result, and for determining the teat length, the tip of the teat, and the fluid application distance, measured from the tip of the teat, over which the fluid has been applied to the teat, and for emitting a fluid signal comprising data in relation to the determined fluid application distance. The reference criterion may be a threshold distance with which the determined fluid application distance is compared.

Abstract: A device for determining the teat positions of a dairy animal after milking. The device is provided with at least one position-measuring device for determining a position of a teat prior to the milking of the dairy animal and for emitting a position signal corresponding to the teat position. The position-measuring device generates individual teat position signals and a control unit determines on the basis of the teat position signals determined before the milking, planes of symmetry extending substantially parallel to the teats. The expected positions are calculated with respect to the planes of symmetry.

Abstract: A device for determining the teat positions of a dairy animal after milking. The device is provided with at least one position-measuring device for determining a position of a teat prior to the milking of the dairy animal and for emitting a position signal corresponding to the teat position. The position-measuring device generates individual teat position signals and a control unit determines on the basis of the teat position signals determined before the milking, planes of symmetry extending substantially parallel to the teats. The expected positions are calculated with respect to the planes of symmetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for milking an animal, in particular a cow, that uses a stress measuring device for determining the animal's degree of stress and to supply stress measurement data to a memory that stores the stress measurement data. Stress measurement data are obtained before, during and preferably after milking. The stress measuring device comprises at least one instrument selected from a group consisting of an infrared meter for measuring the animal's infrared image, a hygrometer for determining the humidity of the animal's fur or nose, and iris scanner for determining the animal's eye characteristics, and an odor meter for determining the animal's breath or body odor, a muscular tension measuring instrument for determining the animal's muscular tension, an excrement analyzing instrument for determining the characteristics of the animal's excrement, and a muscle vibration meter for determining the animal's muscle vibrations.

Abstract: An arrangement for managing a herd of animals. Said arrangement comprises an animal identification system. The arrangement comprises a central unit provided with a computer having a memory, said memory containing per animal data in relation to the hierarchic order. The memory contains per animal data in relation to the jostling behaviour. A method of managing a herd of animals. In the method a number of automatic animal related treatments are performed. The method comprises the step of determining the hierarchic order of an animal, the performance of at least one of the automatic animal related treatments being controlled at least on the basis of the determined hierarchic order of an animal.

Abstract: A device for milking an animal, in particular a cow. The device is provided with a stress measuring device for determining the degree of stress of the animal and for supplying stress measurement data to a storage device for storing stress measurement data. The device is adapted to store stress measurement data before and during milking. A device for monitoring an animal, in particular a cow. The device comprises a stress measuring device for determining stress of the animal.

Abstract: A device for performing a treatment on a dairy animal, in particular a cow. The device is suitable for performing the treatment in various modes. The device is provided with a stress measuring device for determining the degree of stress of the animal and for issuing a control signal with a value depending on the stress measured. The mode of the treatment is selected with the aid of the control signal.