A system for milking cows including a structure for retaining cows therein. Such structure includes at least one holding area within such structure, at least one exit alley connected to and extending from a predetermined portion of such at least one holding area to at least one of a predetermined housing area, at least one additional holding area, and a combination thereof. At least one of at least one milking robot, at least one automated milking machine, and a combination thereof is disposed within such at least one holding area for automatically milking at least one predetermined cow when such at least one predetermined cow is closely adjacent a predetermined side of such at least one of such at least one milking robot, such at least one automated milking machine, and such combination thereof. A method for milking cows is also provided.