In regards to the hides discussion my 7' BCI has and uses his 2'x1'x10" hide box quite heavily ever since I got it for him. When he was younger he would always use the hides as a spot to chill on, but never went under it. Now during the day you won't find him out of the hide unless there are rats in the room, or it's a particularly cool day he may move to directly under his RHP... During the night though he is all over his cage :-)

My Adult BCI is eating a Medium - Large - Jumbo rat in random frequency. I don't keep him on a set schedule. When he was young I fed him weekly, but every now and then would skip a week due to a shed. Right now he averages a meal every 10-18 days. When he eats a larger meal I give him around 18 days, when he gets a medium rat (which is pretty much a Large rat by a lot of standards) he gets another one after 10 or so days. Really just watch his attitude, girth, and fecal spots to figure out when it's a good time for him to feed. Last thing you want is an Obese snake. . . The retics on the other hand in contrast, anything under 1 year old feeds every 4 days on a meal that is about 20% their body weight. They put on serious growth in their first year. Unlike boas which are typically more drawn out growth with a slower metabolism.