Backyard poultry plays a major role in alleviating malnutrition in developing countries like India. The present study was undertaken among 120 backyard poultry farmers in Karaikal region of Puducherry an aim to assess the extent of adoption of improved strain of backyard poultry in Karaikal region, a backward area in Puducherry Union Territory. Majority of the respondents were middle aged with primary school level of education belonging to small family group with 6-15 years of experience in backyard poultry rearing. Nearly one third of the respondents had 1-5 birds in their backyard. Majority of the farmers reared desi birds followed by Giriraja strain. The average number of eggs per clutch and the average number of clutches per year were 16 and 6 respectively. Majority of the respondents were aware of the improved strains of backyard poultry. Most of them had discontinued rearing improved strain of backyard poultry mainly due to susceptibility to diseases and attack by predators.