Killed the rat but hasn't eaten it

[Leigh]

I've been reading through several threads hoping to find an answer....came close a few times, but need more info. I just "inherited" a 9yr old female BP. She has lived a tough life with an old hippie, in and out of bars....cigarette smoke....loud noises, etc....She is used to being handled frequently. Dispite her upbringing, she is very tame and loveable. My problem, if it even is....is that I've had her about 3 weeks and was told that she was due for feeding. All these years she has been fed live rats. After trying to inform myself on my new pet, I'm looking forward to the transition to something other than live. I may just be a nervous "parent," but, I got the live rat today. According to some of the pics on this site, it is just the right size for her. She killed the rat within the first couple of minutes...after sneaking up on it. No problems, but....after trying to eat it, it is like it is too big....she is now just laying beside it. Every now and then, she goes back and tries again.
I guess my question is how long does the process take? If it is too big, how long should I let her "play" with it before taking it out and trying something smaller?----or, is this something that is sometimes normal?

I appreciate any comments/advice....thanks in advance!
Cheryl