Daniher, the son of former Bomber Anthony, will officially join the club at the NAB AFL Draft on November 22.
But the exciting 201cm key forward/ruckman has already joined in pre-season training, and Hird has been encouraged by what he has seen so far.
"He's turned up extremely fit," Hird told radio SEN 1116 on Friday morning.
"The slight knock on Joe that I was hearing out of the TAC Cup, if there was anything, was that his aerobic ability wasn't going to be at AFL level just yet.
"But he ran sub-seven minutes for 2km in his time trial, which for a big guy is amazing at 18 years-old.
"It was really impressive, so that seems to be right.
"We'd love him to play 10 to 15 games [in 2013], but if he doesn't, I don't think it's a big issue.
"We want to make sure that in two to three years' time he's a regular senior player and a very good player, rather than focus on next year."
Ten Essendon players, mainly midfielders, are in Colorado on a high altitude training camp.
Hird said reports coming back from assistant coach Simon Goodwin and CEO Ian Robson had been positive.
"It's just to try something," the Bombers coach said.
"Collingwood's been going for a long time, in terms of altitude training.
"We wanted to put a toe in the water, rather than make a huge commitment to it.
"From all reports ... after a week there, it's been sensational.
"The players are training really well."
Also among the touring group is big man Michael Hurley, who is still recovering from post-season wrist surgery.
Hird said the high altitude training would help boost the 22-year-old's fitness.
