Don’t remove the hides, it stresses the snake and scares it rather than entices it to eat. Make sure your temperatures and humidity are correct and that heat sources are regulated by thermostat. Assuming your husbandry is on point, it may be the way you are heating or presenting the prey item. Does your snake poke his head out of/exit his hide or show any interest when you leave the rat carrier near him?

Frozen thawed prey is safer and more convenient to feed than live, if your snake will accept it. I would recommend it over live feedings, for those reasons.