The reason yours don't set much is because they're common hatchery based birds, which, hatcheries breed out broodiness.
You need to stick with heritage types. Like heritage Rhode Island Reds and true show quality Orpingtons. BIG beautiful and meaty birds, longer lifespan, and although they don't lay as much as your current birds would on their first year, their production in general usually spans out for a longer time. (
they're reliable layers beyond 3 years old)
Have a look at the heritage
Rhode Island Red thread for a few examples, or the
English Orpington thread for Orp examples.
Some other good breeds are Easter Eggers (technically not a breed) and the better choice, Ameraucanas (avoid Easter Eggers in this case, as many people sell under false claim) Ameraucanas I say are a better choice because they're FAR more likely to set eggs.
The blue eggs are a big hit too.
Another big hit are
French Marans . Very reliable layers of really dark brown eggs, like in my avatar, and occasionally to frequently broody.
Pics -
Blue Ameraucana hen
Blue eggs
Marans hen, Black Copper and Wheaten
Dark eggs
