Handling before feeding?

[shadow reaper]

I'm a new owner and I've got a question I'm not sure I've seen before. Is there an issue handling your snake before feeding?

I got my guy a little over a week ago. He came into the house Saturday and was happy and healthy. He explored, he hid, he explored some more. We heard he was being fed on Mondays, so Monday came around, held in the F/T and he hit it and ate within 5 minutes of trying to entice him. As it goes, we didn't handle him until Wednesday evening. First time handling was fine, he stayed mostly balled up, but didn't mind chilling in my hand. Quick 10 minutes, then put him back. Thursday, handled again, same deal, he even started to get a bit more explorey in my hands. Then, family came into town Friday for a wedding and we've been too busy to handle him.

So today is his feeding day, but I don't want to put off handling until Wednesday evening, so can I handle him this afternoon and then feed in the evening? I know it's a dumb question, but he's been such a dream so far, I don't want to screw it up!