The animal care unit (2) forms a link between the production units (A, B, C, D). Each production unit comprises at least one accommodation space for a production group of animals which includes a group of lactating animals, as well as a milking stall (13, 13') for the production group. The care unit comprises a calving unit (4) for housing animals during a calving period and containing a milking stall (6) for animals which have recently calved. The care unit also has a unit (7) for sick animals. An independent claim is also included for a milking shed installation comprising an accommodation space for a production group of animals including a group of lactating animals, at least two milking stalls, a separation space (14, 14') separate from the access space for separating animals from the production group, and a controllable access corridor between the milking stalls for directing an animal to be separated from a first milking stall to the separation space via a second milking stall.