This paper is concerned with automated feeding of dairy cows and examines a solution based on the controlled access of individual animals to the manger. An experimental system was set up consisting of a directional gate giving access to two different sectors of the feeding area with different feed rations following animal identification by means of a subcutaneous transponder. The system works by dividing the total time spent daily at the manger according to the position of each animal in its lactation cycle and the indications provided by the continuous measurement of milk production and body weight. Various tests have been carried out on the functionality of the system components (entry gate, exit gates, identification apparatus) and on the system's capacity to ensure each animal gets its planned feed ration, including roughage. Generally, the animals showed a good adaptation, proved by the average access frequency (8)6 accesses/d) and by their lengths of stay (8 h/d). Some modifications have however been introduced in order to eliminate queuing on entry and to facilitate exits. In particular, a mechanical device has been introduced that pushes animals that are too restive to enter (involving less than 10% of cases), and the functionality of different models and positions of exit gates has been verified. Concerning the system's capacity to ensure a pre-arranged mode of feeding behaviour, it has been observed that the correspondence between the programmed lengths of stay in the different pre-set sectors and the actual ones turned out to be very good, not only over the long term but also on a daily basis. On the contrary, the rationing method was found to have no significant effect on milk production.