Can wine juice be fermented in it's original pail?

The answer is yes. I sanitize the outside and clean it before I open the bucket. Once open, you can either use the original lid (leave it popped open) or I have drilled out the rubber plug and replaced it with a grommet to mate with an air lock.

I ferment the wine down until it is 1.030 to 1.000, the rack to a carboy.

Do Not throw away the buckets, for you can use them in the future, or sell them like some also do. I hope this helps,

Enjoy.