 Each bail might have a box into which such feed is delivered as the cow arrives so that she is eating while being milked.A computer can read the eartag of each animal to ration the correct individual supplement.A close alternative is to use 'out-of-parlour-feeders', stalls that respond to a transponder around the cow's neck that is programmed to provide each cow with a supplementary feed, the quantity dependent on her production, stage in lactation, and the benefits of the main ration

The holding yard at the entrance of the shed is important as a means of keeping cows moving into the shed.