Before you 'toss' them, wash the whole neck in warm soapy water. Dish detergent will do fine. Rinse really well and then blow dry it. I've dyed hackles, on the skin and off and the warm, actually, hot (95C) water straightens them out. Years ago, I bought some black dry fly hackle that had been wound up and put into one of those 1x2x3" plastic cases. The stuff was so twisted I nearly tossed it but after a wash and dry it was fine. Steaming is a good alternative, as AA suggested, but I find washing and drying easier.