Well... first of all, feeding outside of an enclosure isn't recommended.. especially if your moving him right back to his cage as soon as it was 'all the way down'. This could cause a regurgitation, or other stressful problems on the digestive system.
It's really just.. unnecessary. :]

As for the tail thing.. I think if theres no bleeding or teeth in his tail, he'll be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about it.