Yes it is abnormal for your snake to not use its hide... Usually a good sign that either husbandry requirements arnt being met (your temps/hum. seem to be fine), your hide is too big or not secure enough, or your snake is stressed. I thought the same thing when I got my first BP and it turned out the set up wasnt right (was using crappy thermometer/hygrometer) and my readings were wack! Fixed the problem and now I have 7 that I dont see until 8-9 oclock at night. Do you use an acurite to read your temps/hum? or do you use dial stick ones? ... just a quick guess off the info you gave...

As far as feeding its OK to pick them up after feeding... I feed all mine in a separate enclouser and pick em up after they feed... Just use your head and pay attention... keep you hands away from the face and give em a couple mins after the rats down to get it settled and what not... Also you might wanna think about bumpin her up on the size of food she can handle more than a cralwer mouse if its 4 months old.

Ill let some others chime in... they all know much much more!