No, it's not hotly debated at all. A separate feeding enclosure is pointless and adds stress. This is pretty much universally accepted among experience keepers. You say that the bites are clearly a feeding response. Did the snake constrict you as it was biting? This is usually part of a feeding response. The snake is in a new home and needs time to acclimate. At 1200 grams I would say it is an underweight 6 year old female. This is a weight I consider borderline small/ medium rat weekly. If she takes the mediums without a struggle, I would continue that.