A group of dairy animals (10) is managed in a system (1) for keeping dairy animals. The system comprises a living area, such as a stable, which comprises a lying and eating area (2) and a milking area. The milking area is provided with a milking station (20) for automatic milking of a dairy animal. A pasture area (3), separate from the living area, is connected to the living area by means of a selection device (38). The activity of each dairy animal of the group of dairy animals is observed by means of an observation system (39) while said dairy animal is present in the lying and eating area. The selection device is operated as a function of the activity of said dairy animal observed by the observation system.
