Look through the eyes of a cow

Limited Perceptions and field of vision

Prey animals such as cows have limited depth perception because their eyes are on the sides of their heads. This means that they have difficulty estimating distances. In contrast, predators, with eyes at the front of their heads, have better depth perception, which helps them hunt. To estimate distance, cows have to turn their heads towards the direction they are going to. They will also turn their head towards the direction of a sound to estimate what or who the sound is coming from, so they can decide how they will cope with it.

Besides, cows have a significantly smaller vertical field of view compared to humans, with approximately 60° for cattle versus 150° for humans. Humans can confidently walk forward because we can simultaneously see the ground and the view ahead. In contrast, cattle's vertical field of view is limited. When grazing, their heads are down, and they are relaxed (A). As they start to walk, they raise their heads to ensure they are comfortable with their view ahead while still feeling secure about the ground beneath them (B). However, if they lift their heads further, such as when they feel threatened from above, their confidence in their footing decreases, which may cause them to stop moving (C).

The cows also have limited 3D vision due to their laterally placed eyes. 3D vision, or three-dimensional vision, enables us to see objects in three dimensions: length, width, and depth. This kind of vision gives us a realistic view of the world, where we can perceive the shape and structure of objects as they really are.

Better Motion Vision then humans

However, cows have excellent movement vision. They can see 40 to 60 images per second, while humans perceive only 25 images per second. This makes them very sensitive to fast movements, especially at a distance of more than 1.5 meters, which can make them restless. If a cow is in a situation where she is startled or afraid, she retreats from her instincts and will show a flight response from “predators” or humans. In the case of the farm cow, you will notice that she will increase the distance between herself and humans.

That is why it is important to make calm and predictable movements in the vicinity of cows. Certain people who work professionally with cows therefor put their hands in their pockets to prevent themselves from making sudden arm movements.

Color perception and light transitions

Cows cannot perceive red tones. These are seen as gray by them. However, they see blue and green tones well, which they perceive as pleasant. Cows also need a lot of time to adapt to new light conditions. Rapid transitions from light to dark or vice versa can cause startle reactions. You can see this when cows are driven out of their barn to the waiting area or milking room, they first stand still because they have no observations of what is in front of them, what the floor looks like, etc. They need time to adapt their sight. We need to take this into account in our behaviour towards cows and give them the necessary adjustment time. When designing stables and passageways, it is important to take into account gradual light transitions

Stables Design and Machine Placement

When designing barns and installing machines such as milking robots, the vision and behavior of cows must be taken into account.

1. Sight lines and room to move: Provide clear lines of sight and avoid sudden movements in the vicinity of cows. Position machines and obstacles so that they do not cause unexpected shadows or reflections. In robotic milking, the cows must be able to move freely to and from the milking robot. Obstacles and narrow passages can cause stress and reduce the willingness of the cows to visit the robot. A well-designed barn offers sufficient space and clear sight lines.
2. Light transitions: Design entrances and exits with gradual light transitions to minimize startle reactions. Avoid bright lights that shine directly into the cows' eyes.
3. Tunnel designs: Cows walk well in tunnels because they can orient themselves on the sides. Make sure tunnels are well-lit and that there is light at the end of the tunnel so that cows can walk towards the light.
4. Unobstructed View and Herd Contact: Cows are herd animals and feel more comfortable when they have a view of their peers. With robotic milking, it is important that the cows have a clear view of the barn and the herd, even when they are in the milking robot.
5. Quiet Environment: Minimize hectic movements and noise in the barn. Use gentle and predictable movements when herding cows, preferably from the sides so that they can see you well. When milking robotically, it is important that the robot is designed in such a way that it does not make any unexpected movements that could scare the cows. This helps to keep the cows relaxed and stress-free during milking.
   Automatic resources such as feeding robots, manure scrapers, and manure robots must be adjusted in their speed and movement to cow behaviour and sight. This means that these robots must move and turn calmly and not make any sudden movements.
6. Use of colour: Use blue and green tones in the cows' surroundings, as these colours are perceived as pleasant.