A tight fit is an understatement...he did mention that there was a huge clump of bees outside the box.
So, if there is a large clump of bees hanging from the lid, are you saying that we could lift the lid and simply switch lids with a hive that needs the bees? Should we spray them with sugar syrup as part of the move?
Then, switch the overly populated hive with the 2nd underpopulated hive to try and get more bees equilized that way? Spray or not spray?
I know I'm harping on the spraying, I'm just trying to come up with a way to keep the bees in the boxes once we shift them so they can get used to the new queen's pheramones.
As for feeding in general, he's using boardman feeders (ugh). I think, additionally, I will advice him to feed through an inner cover. That way the feed source is at the top of the hive and, hopefully, the bees will gravitate there, rather than the opening at the front. Should help?